KellyisLosingWeight - I am a Future Thin Girl!

Day 810 - My First Ever Guest Post!

2012-02-23T22:15:00.011-05:00

I am sooooo super excited to announce that I have written my first ever guest post for one of my favorite ladies! Jen's blog was one of the first weight loss blogs I ever started reading. Long story short, social media (Facebook, Twitter & the blogosphere) gave us our common connection.

When I decided to try Bikram Yoga for the first time, it was because of her. If you don't read her, you are missing out. I love her, love her blog! :-)

Here is the link to my post that Jen was gracious enough to allow me to write for her blog:

http://www.priorfatgirl.com/2012/02/a-first-timers-experience-with-hot-yoga-guest-post.html

If you guys have ever thought about Bikram, I encourage you to do it. It's awesome - I love it!

I've decided to start kicking up my workouts with running on the treadmill now. Don't ask me why. I am NOT a runner. I am a wanna be runner.

So today, I decided to run on the treadmill. For 2 miles. Straight. I was in the zone today, for some reason. It helped that I was jogging at a slow-ish pace - 4.5 for the first mile, then 4.7 for the second. It took me about 30 minutes to run that, with a 2 minute warm up. I was pouring sweat when I got off. I needed to get some sculpting & light cardio in, so I popped The Firm Boomers with Jayne Poteet in the DVD player. I heavied up my weights.

Can you see the sweat all over my face? More importantly, can you see my COLLAR BONES?! Squeal! :-)
Yup, I burned 727 calories. I'm not messing around here. :-)

Solid day. Tracked everything, got in all of my requirements, and stayed within my points. I needed to be solid after the cupcake fiasco yesterday.

Don't forget to check out Jen's blog! (Ok, I'm done plugging my guest post now. hehe)

Need to wrap up & hit the sack. Make good choices!

Day 809 - Bikram and The Damn Cupcake.

2012-02-22T21:11:00.009-05:00

I got a few comments asking about my watch/HRM, and how I use it to calculate how many calories I burn during a workout. I use a Polar F6 Heart Rate Monitor. It's a 2 part device: one of course is the berry colored watch you saw yesterday, and the other part is an expandable strap that goes around your body - specifically your chest. In the watch, you plug in your personal information (age, sex, height & weight.) I bought mine on overstock, but you can buy them on Amazon, or the Polar website. I want to say you can get them in any sporting goods store, but don't quote me on that since I'm not positive.

Anywho, you guys know I have a sweet tooth, right? I make no secret of it. I mean, who doesn't like things like brownies or cake?

Today on Facebook, Crumbs posted their cupcake of the week: the Tiramisiu cupcake. It looked sooo good. A co worker & I decided to split one. (I'm pleading temporary insanity on this one.) I normally would never eat anything like that - especially during the week. So, WTF was I thinking? I wasn't - bad choice - never happening again. Just thinking about makes me want to vomit.

Big mistake. Huge.

So we split it, didn't finish all of it & neither did she. What a disappointment. I forgot to mention that said half cupcake was consumed about an hour before my Bikram class. And it was very rich and very heavy.

And it just sat there in my stomach. I felt sick, bloated & gross. That damn cupcake made me want to puke my guts out.

In fact, with about 15 minutes left in the class, I had to stop because I really thought I was going to hurl and embarrass myself in front of everyone. In the handful of classes I've taken, I've never felt that close to throwing up. NEVER. There were also more people than usual, which made the room feel about 80 degrees hotter than it actually was. If you know anything at all about me, it's that I have a strong constitution, meaning I don't get sick very often. It takes A LOT for me to feel like I need to throw up. Even gross horror movies don't affect me this way.

Sweet Jesus and all that is holy. It is not physically possible for me to have sweated as much as I did. I'm glad I went and sweated it out. I needed to do that, I really did.

I managed to break a smile. Every single part of me was sweating, which was great. In spite of me wanting to hurl & feeling gross, I still smiled.

As I was leaving the studio, I noticed Joe at the front desk. He was on the phone. I figured I could make a quick getaway since I was still feeling nauseous and gross and really not in the mood to talk/chit chat. So I walked with the quickness, looking at the floor like I always do. Just my luck. As I passed him, he finished his phone call, and said to me, "Take care." With a slight grin.

Blimey. Now I had to say something back. I mumbled, "Good night," with a half smile, and picked up my speed even more.

Sorry Drazil. I just was NOT in the mood. I really just wanted to walk out of there and be left alone. I was soaked in my own sweat, I was dehydrated and thirsty with my extra water in the car, and I felt like I was going to hurl. Wow - I sound terrible. I can only imagine how my body language (head down, eyes on the floor, and walking with the quickness) must've looked to him. Shrug. Oh well. Too late now. I'm not really sure if I cared, actually. (Yeah, that sounds awful. I did care, and I do care. Must work on this body language thing. So unattractive.)

But seriously kids, don't try this at home. I'm also not looking for encouraging words here - what I consumed (that damn cupcake) was wrong. Just plain wrong. It should not have happened, and believe me, I paid the price. My body felt different, and it needs healthy, whole and fresh foods, not stupid crap. And it will not be happening again. It was just stupid, plain stupid.

I tracked everything, got in all of my requirements, and went over my points because of that damn cupcake. Ok, I'm done talking about it now.

I am open. It's going to happen because I deserve it. I know it, and I believe it.

I'm curious - how do you guys rebound? For me, I MUST jump right back in. I cannot wait for the next day - it has to be immediate. If it's not, I could spiral, and I just refuse to do that. Let me know, I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.

Wrapping up now. Thanks for reading. And make good choices!

Day 808 - The Workout That Almost Wasn't.

2012-02-21T23:13:00.011-05:00

Today was one of those days.

You guys know exactly what I'm talking about.

You change into your workout gear, you pop the DVD in, and...

Nothing.

It's just not there for you today. You're just not feeling the workout.

That was me tonight. I literally hit the stop button after the first 5 minutes. And then proceeded to sit on my couch still in the workout gear. And watch TV. And tweet & Facebook about said feelings.

So what happens when you tweet and Facebook about your lack of desire to workout? You get a whole bunch of tweeps and Facebook buddies telling you to go get off your ass and just do the damn thing already.

That was me tonight.

Gotta love social media. And I do, man, I really do. Thank God for all of you, I'm serious. I totally needed the kick in the ass to make me get off said ass and just do it already.

I decided to actually run on the treadmill tonight. Yes, run. I made it to 3.5 miles before I thought I would die. I don't run very fast. I run more for distance than speed. But let me tell you something. My endurance and my stamina (which are pretty much the same thing) have increased so dramatically that it took me by surprise. However, I'm not fully there just yet. I was starting to feel that overexertion pain in my side around the 3.5 mile mark, so I just decided to slow it down right there and walk the rest of the time. In 60 minutes, I made it over 4 miles.

Sweating like a pig. I mean, I was drenched. Can you see the hazy look in my eyes? Can you see the sweat around my neck, face & upper arms? Every single part of me was sweating. Not as bad as Bikram, pretty damn close. And I burned 743 calories.

The proof: I really did burn that much.

That was the workout that almost wasn't. I'm so glad I did it. I'm even more glad that it's over now!

I didn't eat like a dick today. Tracked everything, stayed within my points, and tracked everything. Good to go.

I am open. I believe. I am hopeful. I deserve it, I know exactly what I want and that's why I know it will happen.

Need to hit the sack right now before I pass out. Make good choices!

Day 807 - Holiday.

2012-02-20T22:03:00.009-05:00

I decided last night at the last minute to take the holiday off today. We had the option to work if we wanted to, then we would get an extra day off. But I still have left over vacation days from last year, so I decided to take the holiday.

I ate like a dick after I posted last night. I wanted everything that I didn't have in my house. Instead, I settled on PB&J. What I really wanted was pizza, lots of cheese, & potato chips. I still get those cravings sometimes. It's not ok with me that I caved & had some PB&J. And I'm also not looking for "It could've been much worse, you're ok," comments. It happened, I dealt with it, I've moved on.

So I knew today I had to get in a killer workout. I started with 25 minutes on the treadmill. Then I did The Firm Low Impact Aerobics with Janet Jones-Gretzky. One of the ones from the 80s. Old school workout here, with lots of moves that kind of scared me, I'll be honest. There's a segment towards the end where they do floor work, working the lower body. One of the moves involves leg shoot outs with a dumbbell cradled in the back of her knee. Scary. That segment was a long one - about 20 minutes. Instead, I focused on heavy weights: dead lifts, lunges, bench press, military press, hammer curls, dips & lots of squats. I worked out for an hour & a half, and I burned 821 calories.

See the sweat pouring from my face? Yup - that was no joke.

I had a lady bits doctor's appointment today. That sure was a lot of fun, lemme tell ya. Yup. Couldn't wait for it to be over so I could go to Target. I finally got some wall frames. See?

This is a set of 2 shelves that I have to put up on my walls. I have no idea how to do that. I guess I'll figure it out. I mean, how hard can it be, right? I love the scroll design - my furniture has a lot of scroll motif, so this was perfect.

I'm looking at Pier One for some cool decorative ideas. I want to get a mirror to put on my living room wall, and maybe some vases with pebbles in them. Playing around with ideas here.

Much better day today. Tracked everything, got in all of my requirements, and stayed within my points.

Yawn. Need to finish this one and head to bed. Work tomorrow.

Make good choices!

Day 806 - On Being Standoffish.

2012-02-19T22:14:00.006-05:00

Well. Hmm. Not really sure where to start with this one.

I've gotten a LOT of feedback on my natural inclination to be standoffish. I think I need to be more clear about it. If I know you, if I'm friends with you, I'm not standoffish. I'm not, I swear. I am not a bubbly person, like Kenlie is, by any means. She's one of my best friends, but we couldn't be more polar opposites. She's more outgoing & loves attention - I'm way more reserved, serious and a little shy.

We were on the phone earlier talking about this. She couldn't believe that my inclination was to look at the floor when I was walking out of Bikram. It's a defense mechanism of mine, which I touched on yesterday. I'm insecure, and I've admitted that. I'm probably the most insecure person I know. Which is one of the reasons why I don't like attention. I don't feel comfortable with it, and there are times, a lot of times actually, when it's hard for me to believe that the attention I may get (especially from men) is positive.

As my body is changing, I expect certain things to change about me also. But it's not going to happen overnight. And man - it's freaking hard. There are times when I still see myself as that same girl 84 pounds ago.

Why can't the mind catch up with the body? It took me forever to accept that I might actually have an hour glass figure. (I'm still fighting with myself to accept that, instead of seeing the spare tire and the child bearing hips. Yeah, I know I've got a lot to work through.)

I know I should just hold my head up the next time I'm leaving Bikram. And I will. Ok, Draz? I promise! hehe It's just . . .the last thing I want to do after sweating every single ounce of fluid out of my body is stay and have a conversation. Honestly, I just want to get the hell home, peel off my sweat riddled clothes and shower.

So I need to work on some things. I've been thinking about what to write all day today because I knew I wanted to talk about this. I'm not sure if I articulated anything very well, since it's almost midnight and I'm exhausted.

Yawn. I have a feeling I"m going to read this over tomorrow and be like, I must've been on crack or something when I wrote this. hehe.

Ok - need to hit the sack. Make good choices!

Day 805 - WI Results, Greenery & 2 Workouts.

2012-02-18T21:16:00.021-05:00

I lost 3 pounds this week! I weighed in 187.4 pounds. That brings my total loss with WW to 75 lbs. Look what I got today!

The 75 charm to put on my WW keychain.
The 75 pound magnet that now has a prominent place on my fridge.

If you look at my weight loss ticker at the top of my blog, it says I've lost 84 pounds. That is true - I have lost 84 pounds. Before I joined WW, I lost 9 pounds on my own. And then I just stopped losing it on my own. That is why I joined WW in the first place.

I had a busy day ahead of me, and for some reason, I decided to get in 2 workouts today. My first workout was a DVD I hadn't done in forever and a day - The Firm Cardio Overdrive with Alison Davis. I don't really like this workout because I feel like it's too dancey. Especially the end - the cool down is a little too dance-ish for my taste. But, for some reason, this workout really got my heart rate up - and quickly. Maybe I should start incorporating this DVD into my regular rotation. Hmm. I burned 456 calories.

I am so glad to know that I am not the only person who hates doing ab work! LOL. I know it's important, believe me. But that doesn't make me hate it any less. This particular DVD has a standing ab section, which is perfect for me. Standing crunches, lunges with oblique twists with light hand weights - perfect.

I've been thinking lately that I really need to get around to buying plants for my place. I've been here almost 3 months - what exactly am I waiting for? I was just being lazy about it, I know.

Ivy and some yellow colored flowered plant. I don't know what the name of it is. If any of you know what it's called, please leave me a comment and let me know. K, thanks.

African violets. I love these. The flowers are so pretty.
I have no idea what the name of this plant is. I got it because it reminded me of aloe vera, which is one of my favorite plants ever. The tag on the bottom of the pot said it was a succulent plant. I have no idea what that means. Again, if you know the name of this plant, please leave me a comment with its name.
Two cactus plants. I kept hearing that it's always a good idea to keep cactus in your house. I'm not sure what they're supposed to do, maybe keep spiders at bay or something. Shrug.
Baby aloe vera plant and jade, for good luck. I've heard jade is supposed to bring blessings and good vibes to your home. And of course to the person. LOL. And aloe is my very favorite plant, so I had to get it. At some point, I will have to repot all of them in bigger pots, with really good quality potting mix soil.

Did you like my greenery? I love it all!

I couldn't wait to go to my Bikram class. I really, really enjoy it. And apparently, I am more flexible than I've given myself credit for. There are poses I can't do - like the toe stand. That pose is just crazy. Major flexibility is involved there. And get this - Joe, my Wednesday night instructor, attended the class as a student tonight! LOL. Man, he is hot. The instructor tonight was no slouch either. Tommy is pretty sexy too. Maybe later, I'll be able to finagle pics of them. If I wasn't so standoffish, I'd ask them to pose for a pic with me. Maybe later. Check out my sweaty pic.
Pouring sweat, drenched to the core. I really need to get my eyebrows waxed tomorrow.

I left the class looking down at the floor again. Tommy was at the front desk talking to Joe. I think they both wanted to say goodbye to me, but I was walking with the quickness. Tommy actually paused for a second while he was talking to Joe, and I think he wanted to say something to me. Shrug. Oh well.

Hope you enjoy the pics people. And if you know what the names of those plants are, please let me know.

I am open. I have hope. I know great things are in store for me soon.

I've rambled on way too long - sorry! Make good choices!

Day 804 - Last Chance Workout.

2012-02-17T22:23:00.003-05:00

It was a much nicer day here in NY. The sun came out fleetingly, which was nice after all the rain yesterday. My mood improves dramatically when the weather is nicer. Bonus.

No Bikram for me today. I have it on the schedule for tomorrow night. I'm ok with that. Twice a week is really good for me, I feel. Especially with the hot male instructors doing the classes - win! =)

My last chance workout today was a mixture. I started with 22 minutes on the treadmill. I wanted to work upper body today, so I decided to do The Firm Parts: Upper Body Split. I'm still trying to get used to the heavier dumbbells I bought this week. It's challenging, but so totally worth it.

The reason why I don't do this particular DVD is often is because it's odd. They throw in cardio segments in the middle of the sculpting, which I don't like. In fact, I didn't perform them at all. When those segments came on, I did other sculpting moves, like delt flies, or heavy hammer curls, which is my personal favorite move. Then, after the cardio segments, they also throw in 2 different core sections, which I really can't stand. An upper body workout should focus on just that - the upper body. No cardio, none of this core stuff.

But I made a resolve to myself - and here on this blog to all of you - that I would start doing the ab sections on every single DVD I happen to choose to workout to that day. So I kept the upper body work continuous. When the sections came on, I just continued to perform my upper body moves (French press, military press, ribcage pullovers, hammer curls, tricep kickbacks, and bench press) but I promised myself that once the DVD was over, I would go back and rewind and do the core sections. There were 3 total - I made it through 2 of them - barely. My abdominals were on fire! Holy Jesus and all that is sancrosanct - that was some hard shizz. I'm not kidding. I gritted my teeth throughout, but I did it. And I burned 548 calories.

I'm looking all out of sorts here. I recognize this, believe me. It felt strange to actually do core work! LOL. I really wish the arm folds would just go away already. Sigh.

Solid day in the books. Tracked everything, got in all of my requirements, and stayed within my points.

I'm feeling confident about WI tomorrow. I know the scale will reflect my efforts this week and show a nice loss. :-)

I need to start writing my posts earlier in the day, because lately I've been waiting til almost midnight, and it's been killing me. No mas of that from this moment on.

Hitting the sack now. Make good choices!

Day 803 - Get Tough!

2012-02-16T21:40:00.003-05:00

RIP Gary Carter. The former Mets catcher succumbed to brain cancer today. Sad. When the Mets won the World Series in 1986, I kinda/sorta remember it. I was just a kid, only 7 at the time. I vaguely remember Carter running into Jesse Orozco's arms in a bear hug after the last out was recorded. I'm a die hard Yankees fan, I bleed navy blue blood, but this is still sad. :(

Anywho, onto happier things now. It felt weird working out at home today, after going to the studio for Bikram the last few days. In fact, I started my workout late because I felt a little out of sorts, getting out my equipment and moving my furniture around. LOL.

I started with 22 minutes on the inclined treadmill. Then I whipped out my brand new, heavier dumbbells, and I did The Firm Parts: Standing Legs. Umm, I am already feeling it in my glutes and thighs. Get Tough is a line that one of the instructor says during a very difficult set of heavy hover squats. I used the 15s for that. And it nearly killed me. I'm not kidding. I was trying to get tough, and I have a feeling my lower body will feel like jelly tomorrow. I burned 683 calories.

You can't see it in this photo, but my sports bra is completely soaked. Doing lots of lunges, squats, and leg presses with those damn heavier weights really got my heart rate up. It also really made me sweat like an oink-oink. Whew, I was so happy when it was over! LOL.

Solid day in the books. Tracked everything, got in all of my requirements, and stayed within my points.

Patience is a virtue. I must be patient. I am open. I believe. I deserve it. Love is heading my way. I feel it. If I can visualize it, I know I will get it. The world is at my fingertips.

Good choices people! And remember to be positive! :-)

Day 802 - Bikram Again.

2012-02-15T22:09:00.004-05:00

Honestly, my bloggy peeps are just off the hook! I love you guys, seriously. Thank you for your kind comments on my post yesterday. I can't formulate properly just how much your sweet comments meant to me. I hope "thank you" will suffice! :-) (Sorry, that's all I got.)

By the way, I can't wait to read your own "goodbye letters" to all plus size clothes and stores either.

I went to Bikram again tonight. It was so much fun. I'm loving it now, which really surprises me. It's taken me quite off guard, since I can be loathe to try new things. I've talked about that to death, so I won't get into that again now. Joe was the instructor again tonight. He is so cute & sexy! hehe. He only got on my nerves slightly tonight. At least he didn't talk to me during the class. Afterwards though, when I was leaving the studio, he was at the front desk and he saw me, and he said something like, "Great class today," or "You did great today." I can't remember now exactly what he said, since I was looking at the floor when I was walking out.

I was soaked to the bone in my own sweat, I was exhausted (still felt great), but I really just wanted to get home, take the sweaty clothes off, and shower. I didn't really feel like sharing warm fuzzies. So I looked up at him slightly and gave him a half smile. I said, "Thanks," before making a mad dash for the door in case he wanted to keep talking.

I know, I know. I need to stop being so standoffish. It makes me look snotty & bitchy, and I'm really not THAT person, but I can't help it. (Yes I can, I know I can.) It's a defense mechanism stemming from way back. If I'm standoffish, then you won't approach me, then you can't make fun of me for being fat. Sad, I know. I hadn't even finished typing the words out and I knew it was just sad.

But, like I said, I felt great, I really did. I felt like freaking stealth ninja fighter, sweaty clothes and all.

Even my toes were sweating, if you can believe that. (Toes can sweat, right?)

Solid day in the books again. Tracked everything, got in all of my requirements, and stayed within my points.

I am open. I am hopeful. I know love is just around the corner for me. If I can visualize what I want in my life in my head, I know I can get it.

I really need to get to bed now. Sorry for the fly by post. Make good choices!

Dear Lane Bryant, I Don't Need You Anymore. (Day 801)

2012-02-14T09:46:00.028-05:00

Dear Lane Bryant,

I don't need you anymore.

I am not upset at all by this break up. It's been a long time coming. For the last 8 years, when I was morbidly obese, your store (and all other plus size stores) were the only places I could shop for clothes that fit me. I hated that I had to do that. I really did.

I am still obese. I am still fat. I am NOT OK with that. I am fighting everyday to get to a normal, healthy weight. And very soon, this year, I know I will get there.

But I don't need you anymore. And I have to admit, I really love that.

You have served me well in the last 8 years. I haven't loved all of your clothes, but I didn't care about the style or what the clothes looked like, as long as they fit me. If I could wear them to work, I bought them.

But in the last month or so, I have been able to do something I haven't been able to do in 8 years: walk into a store, pick something off the rack, and try it on. And have it fit! Like on this day, when I tried on a cute trench coat in a size Large, and it fit me perfectly.

Or here, when two wonderful and extremely important things happened. The first, was hitting One-Derland. And staying there. The second, being able to see my hour glass figure for the first time, and not just a bunch of flab and fat.

One of the best things about this journey, and saying goodbye to you - Lane Bryant and plus size clothes forever - are of course the clothes NSVs. NSVs that have moved me to tears. Such as this one, where I picked out a size Medium dress and it fit!

The black Victoria's Secret shirt dress in Medium that was tight around my chest, but fit everywhere else!

So you see Lane Bryant, it's not me, it's you. I just don't need you anymore.

I have changed. My body has changed, and it is still changing. And soon, I will be at goal.

Right now, and of course for the rest of my life, I don't you need you.

And I never will. Again.

So Happy Valentine's Day, Lane Bryant. I don't need you anymore.

Day 800 - More Bikram!

2012-02-13T20:38:00.008-05:00

So apparently, Bikram yoga is my new obsession. Don't ask me why, it just is.

I went today after work. It was a different instructor this time - a woman. And the class was a little more packed. I got there early and made sure to get a spot.

I think from now on, I'm going to do Bikram twice a week - Wednesdays and Saturdays. My first instructor, Joe, was there. He was at the front desk. He is so sexy! Just saying. So he sees me, and he says: "Hi! 2nd class?"

Me: "Hi. No, it's my third."

Joe: "That's great. How do you feel?"

Me: "I feel great!"

And I really do feel great, I'm not kidding.

So, I went and this is me in the car afterwards.

Holy Jesus. Every inch of me was covered in sweat. I tried to take a sweaty pic in the bathroom, but there were too many people in there. And I didn't want to look like a freak snapping a pic of myself. LOL.

I feel so great. I feel so awesome.

I can do anything. I am open. I believe it will happen. Anything I can visualize, I will achieve. I just know it. Great things are just around the corner for me.

Good day. Tracked everything, got in all of my requirements, and went over my points. I'm ok with that.

Tomorrow, I have a VERY special post planned. I'll be posting it earlier than usual - that's how special and important it is. :-)

Make good choices!

Day 799 - Heavying Up the Weights.

2012-02-12T23:02:00.009-05:00

So apparently you guys didn't like that I did 2 workouts yesterday, since I didn't get any comments on that post. :-( Boo. Unlike.

Anywho, so today I went to Sports Authority and bought 3 new dumbbells. A pair of 15s, and a 12 to go with the 12 I already had. I've been thinking of heavying up my weights for a while now, I just never got around to buying more. I've been too lazy, I'll admit it. But it was time, more than time, so off to buy new dumbbells I went.

I get to the store, pick out my weights, then when I was paying for them, I noticed that one of the 15s had a crack in it. So I went to get another one from the shelf. As I was picking one out and making sure that it had no cracks, a male customer, who was standing by the same section, looked at me, and said, (Are you ready for this?)

"Do you know anything about those weights?"

I whip my head around and gave him an Are You F*cking Kidding Me With That Question look, and said: "YES!"

So he mumbled something like what sounded like an apology. His face got all red, and it was very obvious that he was embarrassed. I was so stunned, and so taken off guard that I didn't know how to react. Normally, I would've just told him "Hey, f*ck you!" But like I said, I was just too stunned. Whatever, douchebag. (Trying to keep it PG here, but it's hard.)

These are what I bought today.

I wanted to make sure that I had the heavier weights before I did my workout today. Bikram left my lower body really sore yesterday, so today I wanted to concentrate on my upper body. I started with 22 minutes on the treadmill, then I did The Firm Parts Upper Body. I added another 10 minutes with the weights, and I burned 578 calories.
Can you see the sweat on my (cough, cough) collar bones?! I love that I have visible collar bones now! Not loving the folds in my upper arms though. And I almost have cheekbones.

Solid, healthy day in the books. Tracked everything, stayed within my points, and got in all of my requirements.

I am open, I believe. If I can think and visualize what I want in my head, then I know it will happen.

Need to wrap this one up now, since I need to hit the sack for work tomorrow. The weekends go way too quickly for my taste.

Make good choices!

Day 798 - WI Results and TWO Workouts.

2012-02-11T22:03:00.009-05:00

I stayed the same this week. 190.4 lbs. Shrug. It should've been a gain. I've been paying for how I ate on Super Bowl Sunday all week. Definitely NOT ok, but I've learned my lesson, and it's time to move on.

I knew I had to step it up today. My workout had to be all out and hardcore. After I got back from WI & had some coffee & breakfast, I did 18 minutes on the treadmill. Then I did The Firm Lower Body Sculpt with Lisa Kay. I hadn't done this workout in forever - really long time. For some reason, I really wanted to work my lower body. Actually, I do know the reason. I really, really want to get rid of my thunder thighs and saddlebags. After the DVD was over, I decided to do some more lower body work. So I did more squats, side lunges and heavy lifts. I burned 507 calories.

Yeah, my hair is looking all kinds of messy in this one. No biggie. I should look like crap after a workout, right?

I putzed around my house for a bit, and then on a whim, I decided to check the hot yoga class schedule online. There was a class at 5:30. I rushed to get dressed, grabbed my water bottles, towels, and yoga mat, and ran out the door. Then I noticed my gas tank was practically empty. I'm talking, dangerously empty. Great. I had to stop and get gas because I did not want to risk running out of gas on the highway. Which mean wasting what precious little time I had to get to the studio. But good luck was on my side because when I got there, the class hadn't started yet. Score!

I had a different instructor this time, but he was hot! Seriously, what is it about hot yoga instructors? This guy was ripped like Joe, my first instructor. Delish! LOL. I'm not kidding, by the way. Those guys were sexy.

The class was a little more packed than on Weds. night. And I poured sweat like a mofo. Again, I'm not kidding. Just check out my sweaty pic.
Every part of my body was sweating. If it's possible for hair to sweat, then my hair was sweating. And my clothes were completely soaked through. Love, love, love that! I felt like a total ninja warrior. I felt like an effng badass!

But the best part was that I noticed something about my body. I AM flexible. I was able to complete that pose that I couldn't before - it's called the bow pose, where you lay on your stomach, lift your chest, legs, thighs and neck off the ground, and grab your ankles from behind. I didn't execute the move perfectly, but I could grab my ankles, and I couldn't before! Major, major NSV!

Solid day in the books. I'm determined to show a major loss this week. I tracked everything, got in all of my requirements, and stayed within my points.

I've decided to do hot yoga twice a week for the time being. Once the summer rolls around, I won't do it, I don't think. Or we'll see. Maybe I'll feel differently. But I'm in love with Bikram now, it's seriously become my new obsession, and I really look forward to continuing it. I feel so great afterwards.

I am open. I deserve it. Everything I've ever thought I wanted is within my reach. If I can think it, if I can visualize it in my mind, then I know it will happen.

Need to wrap up now. Thanks for reading people - and make good choices!

Day 797 - Last Chance Workout!

2012-02-10T21:43:00.005-05:00

I'm still paying for over indulging on Super Bowl Sunday. Ugh. Such is life. I made the food choices that day that I've been paying for all week. Not ok by any means, but I've been working hard all week. It also didn't help that TOM was this week. Shrug.

Can I just say that I freaking love hot yoga now? It has become my newest obsession. I'm not kidding. It's supposed to snow here tomorrow, but that will not deter me from getting to the session tomorrow night!

My workout tonight was badass. I mean, it was hardcore. I knew it had to be if I'm going to show any kind of loss tomorrow. I started with 33 minutes on the treadmill. I ran for a few 4 minute intervals. Then I did The Firm Ultimate Calorie Blaster with Stephanie Huckabee. She really enjoys those step ups on the the Fanny Lifter in this one. Almost killed me, I'm not even kidding. Now I remember why I don't do this particular DVD very often. It's tough!

After all that cardio, I wanted to get in a little sculpting. I was riding the endorphin high, people. What can I tell you? I did about 15 minutes of heavy squats, lunges, clean & press, and military press. And I burned 863 calories.

Yeah, I was soaked. Not as soaked and drenched as I was after hot yoga, but you get the idea. This is what burning a crap load of calories feels like and looks like.

Good day. Tracked everything, got in all of my requirements, but I did go over my points. I'm ok with that.

WI is tomorrow. I'm not as overly confident as I was about it last week, but I will accept whatever my results are.

I am open. I am positive. I know it will happen for me because I deserve it. Happy, wonderful things are in store for me just around the corner. I just know it. I just feel it.

Wrapping up now. Make good choices!

Day 796 - Rest Day.

2012-02-09T22:29:00.006-05:00

OMG people - I am sore from hot yoga yesterday. Specifically, my neck and my inner thighs. I'm not kidding. I can't even cross my legs!

I took a rest day today. I think I needed it.

I'm debating about whether to go to hot yoga tomorrow night. I'm thinking of doing my regular workout instead, but I'm undecided. This doesn't mean I'm giving up on hot yoga at all. I'm just thinking of switching days. We'll see.

I will say that I felt like such a warrior afterwards. How could I not feel that way? I was drenched in my own sweat, I made it through something I never imagined myself doing.

And that rocks my world!

Not a whole lot going on today. I need to comment and catch up on some blogs. Getting late, so I'll be back later with more interesting things to talk about. Promise.

Make good choices!

Day 795 - My First Ever Hot Yoga Class!

2012-02-08T21:31:00.008-05:00

OMG. I did hot yoga and survived to tell you guys about it!

So I got there early, like everyone says to do. I changed at work to ensure I'd save extra time. I got to the studio, and the instructor, Joe, was at the front desk. He was cute by the way. (More on him in a bit.)

There were a range of different people in the studio, with lots of different fitness levels. Men & women, young & old. And everyone I talked to, Facebooked, or tweeted to, about hot yoga was right - NO ONE was looking at me. Everyone just concentrated on themselves and their poses. Major relief.

The studio was hot. About what I expected. I was sweating within 5 minutes. I'm not kidding.

There were a lot of poses I couldn't perform. Like the one where you lay (lie?) on your stomach, lift yourself up, and try to grab your ankles. Yeah, that was NOT happening. Joe, the instructor, came over to me and whispered, "Think you can grab your ankles?"

I shook my head no. I'm just not that flexible enough yet. I thought that would be the end of it. But instead, he whispered to me again,

"Not even if I help you a little?"

I looked at him, and whispered quietly, "No." And I turned my gaze away.

I thought that was a little weird. And I found it slightly annoying, too. I'm ok with accepting my limitations. I know what my limitations are. I just want to learn on my own. Some people would welcome the help. Some people would not be ok with accepting their limitations and would want to push harder. Apparently, I am in the minority on this one.

I'm ok with people helping me, if I ask for it. Because it was my first class, I kinda just wanted to be left alone, you know. Let me learn on my own, please. If I want/need help, believe me, I will ask for it.

Normally, under any other circumstances, I would've pushed. I have pushed myself in the past, and I will continue to do so in the future. Pushing myself was me going to Bikram yoga in the first place. Especially since I NEVER thought I'd do it. Or even like it.

Which brings me to my final analysis. I LOVED IT! Annoying instructors & all! :-) I will be going back on Friday night. This is definitely I would like to continue.

I sweated through my clothes. I think my eyeballs were sweating, too. Is it possible for eyeballs to sweat?

Soaked to the core. This was taken in the women's bathroom of the studio. Can you see the sweat pouring down my neck? I couldn't wait to get home & shower! But I have to say, I felt like a warrior!

Solid day today. Tracked everything, got in all of my requirements, and stayed within my points.

I can't wait to get to bed now - hot yoga was trying, exhausting, but freaking awesome!

Day 794 - Trying New Things.

2012-02-07T21:16:00.009-05:00

Before I moved out on my own, I was really averse to trying new things. I mean, I would try new things, but I'd never be completely open to it. It wouldn't be voluntary. It would literally be kicking and screaming.

But lately, I've been open to a lot of things. To trying new things. Which I guess has a lot to do with losing weight and slowly gaining back some self-confidence. Like hot yoga. Which I'm going to try for the first time ever tomorrow night. I keep hearing about it on Twitter and on other people's blogs, and I've always been curious about it. It's just something I'd never imagined I'd be doing - or be able to do, for that matter. More about it tomorrow, after my first session, I promise.

Today I felt so much better than I did yesterday. I actually went to bed last night at 11, which is super early for me. And I got a full 8 hours of sleep - which NEVER happens. Sleep is the bomb diggity, people.

So I decided to really up the intensity with my workout today. I did The Firm Calorie Explosion with Alison Davis. I did the warm up, hit the pause button, then went onto the treadmill for 22 minutes. Then I went back to the DVD, which is insane. Lots of high intensity moves in this one. Like the squat tuck jumps. Insane. I sweated like a pig, burning 736 calories. See?

I look dazed and confused here, don't I? LOL.

I am open. I believe. I am positive. I deserve for wonderful things to happen.

Solid day. Tracked everything, got in all of my requirements, and stayed within my points.

How do you guys feel about trying new things? Open? Kicking & screaming? Reluctant? Changing your views on it? Let me know.

Ok, I'm watching Teen Mom 2 (one of my guilty pleasures) then I'm heading to bed. Don't judge - I know some of you watch some pretty sketchy things, too. :-)

Make good choices!

Day 793.

2012-02-06T21:32:00.006-05:00

I definitely over indulged yesterday. Not a good thing at all because I woke up feeling sluggish & lethargic. I felt lie that for most of the day, until lunch. I went out into the sunshine and felt better. Thank God I made Wendy & Carlton take home all the leftovers. And I dumped whatever they didn't take. Never again. I'm definitely not entertaining for a looong time. I couldn't sit still. I kept getting up and making something or doing something in the kitchen. LOL.

So this is what the office manager brought in for me today.

3 little red velvet cupcakes from Baked by Melissa in Manhattan. Because that's what I totally needed after my eating yesterday. I had told her about this place because she told me she was going into the city over the weekend. Each are about 100 calories each. Still, no es bueno. I had one, then gave the rest to my co worker, which she promptly inhaled. LOL.

I knew I had to get in a super hardcore, super kick ass workout today. I started with 23 minutes on the inclined treadmill, then I did The Firm Super Cardio Mix. An oldie, but goodie. I really wanted to get my calorie burn up, so I did another 10 minutes or so of cardio after the DVD ended. I wound up burning 715 calories.
I need to start getting to bed at a decent hour. Midnight is NOT cutting it. Tonight, I want to be in bed by 11, at the latest. Let's see if that happens.

Much better day today. Tracked everything, stayed within my points, and got in all of my requirements. I think I downed about 200 ounces of water today, and I was peeing nonstop.

I am thankful. I am hopeful. I will find love because I am open and I deserve it. It will happen.

Need to do my food prep for tomorrow. Thanks for reading. And make good choices!

Day 792 - My 1st Ever Super Bowl Party!

2012-02-05T22:44:00.012-05:00

Can I just say that it's more about the Patsies getting beat than it was about the Giants winning tonight. So, I'm glad the Patsies lost! LOL

So here's me getting my game gear on.

Before I could get ready though, I had to workout. Started with 22 minutes on the inclined treadmill, then I did The Firm Lower Body Split. Lots of lunges & squats in this one. I burned 833 calories.
I knew I had to get in a kick ass workout today because I skipped it yesterday. And I was having a party for the Super Bowl today.

I'm going to leave you with pics of the eats I had at my shindig.
Whole wheat pita pizzas with tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella & turkey pepperoni.

Chip & dip platter.
Veggie tray. Not pictured is the ranch dip.
Cheese & cracker board. Cheddar cheese slices, grapes, crackers, and herbed cheese.

I made Wendy & Carlton take home all the leftovers. I can't have that stuff in my house. The left over dips I just dumped in the trash. So no bad food in my house now.

I'm exhausted, been a long but great day, and I'm done.

Good choices!

Day 791 - WI Results.

2012-02-04T22:44:00.007-05:00

I lost 3 lbs. this week! I'm now at a solid 190.4 lbs. Speaking of which, I think I'll post a new photo soon, maybe next week when I go into the next decade. Because I know I will have another nice loss. :-)

It was a weird day for me. It started off really well, with WI & my WW meeting. Then I got home and was overcome by this overwhelming need to start cleaning my house. Am I nesting? Does that make any sense? It's possible I'm just hormonal because next week TOM is coming. Anywho, I cleaned and mopped floors, I dusted my living room, my bedroom, and cleaned my kitchen. The only room I didn't hit was my bathroom. That I will do tomorrow.

Mom & the Yorkies came over today. This is Lika, getting ready & antsy to go back to her house.

She's got little puppy ears. They're not pointy like other Yorkie ears. But I think that just makes her look cuter - and more sweet.

I had to pick them up & drive them home, and on my way back, I decided to head to Modell's, which is a local sporting goods store. I was on the hunt for a sports tank and bike shorts. Would you believe I found neither? The store did not have any sports tanks. WTF? And the bike shorts were made for girls that have twigs for figures. F*ck.

The store taped this sign to all of their front door windows:

Nice, right?

Full disclaimer: I'm a diehard Jets fan. So it's really more about Bellicheat & the Patsies getting beat than it is about the Giants winning. (God, I f*cking hate Tom Brady. With a passion. In fact, I hate the entire Patriots organization with a passion.)

It was a weird day, long day, and I wound up not working out. I regret it now. Ugh. At least I ate well.

I couldn't make my green monster smoothie because my blender died today. I had all the ingredients in my blender, and when I went to turn it on, it made a whirring noise and then the thing started smoking. Yeah, not good.

I tracked everything, went over my points by one, and fell short of my vegetables requirement. Shrug. It was just a weird day.

But I lost 3 pounds this week!

Long day, so I'm hitting the sack now. Make good choices!

Day 790 - Last Chance Workout!

2012-02-03T21:39:00.005-05:00

Seriously, thank God it's freaking Friday!

Thank you for all your feedback & comments about hot yoga. I'm really thinking of trying it earlier than I had planned. I have to check the studio's website and see what's available after work. I'm going to the sporting goods store tomorrow and picking up appropriate workout clothes.

I need to stop spending all this money on clothes. But hey, everything I have pretty much doesn't fit me anymore, so there you go.

Anywho, tomorrow is WI day, which means that tonight was my last chance workout. So I started with 21 minutes on the treadmill. No incline since my back was bothering me a little. In fact, I don't think I'll be doing the incline anymore.

But, I ran on the treadmill. At a 4.2 pace. And I didn't think I was going to die! LOL. Then I did The Firm Aerobic Body Shaping with Allie del Rio. After the initial workout was over, I hit the pause button and did kettle bell swings. 100 of them. At lunch, I went to my Mom's house & retrieved the 5 pound kettle bell, along with a few more workout DVDs I had left there. And then, I did the ab section. OMG, it was f*cking hard! I thought my stomach would just revolt. But I gritted my teeth and just did it. Barely. And I burned 645 calories.

Yeah, I'm a hot mess in this photo. I look all sorts of crazy tired, my hair is a mess, but I was so glad I did it, and I was even much gladder that the workout was over!

Another solid day is in the books. Tracked everything, got in all of my requirements, and stayed within my points.

I believe. I am hopeful. I know love will come my way because I deserve it. I deserve to be with a kind, funny, gentle and romantic man who will treat me like a goddess.

WI is tomorrow, and I am confident I will show a loss.

Heading to bed. Make good choices!

Day 789 - Core Work.

2012-02-02T22:04:00.003-05:00

I've been hearing all over the place that it's really not a good thing to neglect core work. Which I have always avoided like the plague because I firmly believe that my mid section is a hopeless mess. And plus, I hate working my abs! I hate doing planks and crunches. LOL.

I always said that once I hit One-Derland, I would start doing the abdominal sections in the DVDs I work out to. (Don't ask me to explain the reasoning behind that - there is none. I just always told myself that once I hit One-Derland, I would start doing it.) Well, I've been in the 100s now for almost a full month, and I haven't really been doing that. My Twitter & Facebook peeps have told me that a strong core - even if it doesn't look pretty on the outside - is so important. It will help with posture and will help in preventing future back problems. It will also help with running, which is something I really want to get back into.

So with all that said, I have decided that I will do the abdominal sections in any DVD I happen to be working out to that day. Grr. I don't wanna. I really don't.

Anywho, so with all that said, I decided to do a core-centered DVD. I did the warm up to The Firm Cardio Core Fusion with Rebekah Sturkie, hit the pause button, then jumped onto the inclined treadmill for 18 minutes. I went back to the DVD, and completed the entire workout. I thought I was going to die! I left my kettlebell at my Mom's house, so after the DVD was over, I took a 5 pound dumb bell and did kettlebell lifts with it. That really works your core. I burned 732 calories.

My sports bra was soaked in sweat. I'm not kidding.

I've decided to give hot yoga a try next Friday night. I put feelers out on Twitter as to what kind of clothes I should wear. The consensus was as little as possible since the room will be heated to 100 degrees. So I went on Amazon today & ordered Champion bike shorts since they are a little longer in the thigh, and a Nike sports tank. I don't have the figure to walk in there in just a sports bra and a pair of tiny spandex shorts, so that's as naked as I'm willing to get. LOL.

Good day today. Tracked everything, stayed within my points, and got in all of my requirements.

I am open to new things, new people, and new experiences. Hot yoga is a great example of that. I can't wait to go and tell you guys my thoughts about it! I really hope I like it and enjoy it.

Need to do my food prep for tomorrow, then I'm hitting the sack. Make good choices!

Day 788 -Thinking of Trying Hot Yoga.

2012-02-01T21:08:00.010-05:00

So you guys loved my Crate & Barrel purchases, I see. Yeah, they are pretty awesome. I love them too! LOL.

Overheard at work today: Coworker 1: "Look how skinny Kelly is getting."

Coworker 2: "I know! Pretty soon she'll waste away to nothing."

Me: "Que?"

(Like!)

I keep hearing great things about Bikram yoga (hot yoga.) I'm not a yoga person. At all. But I think I want to try it. Even though my flexibility sucks. And I feel like if I go, I'll be the biggest person in the room. (Believe me, halfway through typing that sentence, I realized how wrong I am to think that way.)

There is a Bikram studio about 10 minutes from my job that offers a class Friday night. I think I'll go check the studio out first, and then make my decision from there.

Quick recap of my workout, then I'm going to bed. I started with 25 minutes on the inclined treadmill. I couldn't get my heart rate up high enough, no matter what I did. Or at least, I couldn't get it high enough for me. I was sweating when I was done though. Then I did The Firm Total Body Sculpt Plus Abs with Jen Carman. And yes - I even tried the ab section. Not very impressed, I have to say. Tomorrow & Friday, I will be choosing tougher DVDs. I burned 542 calories.

I look so out of it, don't I? I was really tired, I won't lie. LOL.

Good day. Tracked everything, stayed within my points, and got in all of my healthy requirements.

If any of you have tried Bikram yoga, let me know, please. Did you like it/hate it/love it? Any suggestions? Do I bring water & Gatorade just in case? Am I being way too self conscious about being the biggest person in the room? Do you want to hit me upside the head for saying that? What kind of clothes should I wear? Comments, please. K, thanks.

I am open. I deserve it. It will happen because I believe it will.

Need to hit the sack. Make good choices!

Day 787 - Rest Day & Crate & Barrel.

2012-01-31T22:20:00.006-05:00

Rest day for me today. Instead, I went and got a mani & pedi after work. Yesterday, I went to Crate & Barrel and bought some things. I'm having a small gathering on Sunday for the Super Bowl. Just me, Wendy & her husband. No big deal. But I realized that I don't have any "party accessories" at all for my kitchen. Hence the trip to Crate & Barrel.

Ok - I warn you now - I went a little crazy in there. Just a little. Ok, maybe a lot. You be the judge.

Acacia chip & dip platter. I'm totally in love with all things Acacia now. Blame my BFF and her housewarming gift of the Acacia salad bowl with matching fork & spoon. It's all her fault.
Acacia oval shaped platter.
Medium & large glass canisters with Acacia wood lids.
Acacia appetizer plate. These are small, and they are my absolute favorite. I bought 6 of them. Because I needed six. I never said there was a method to my madness.
Votive candle holder, on clearance. I should've gotten more than one, but my wallet had seen enough. In fact, it was rebelling, so I had to take a knee at the 1 foot line and call it a day with buying things from Crate & Barrel. For now. I may, or may not go back in the near future and buy more crap that I kinda don't need. (But really want anyway.)

Solid day in the books. Tracked everything, got in all of my requirements, and stayed within my points.

I feel good. I am positive. I am hopeful. And I know everything I've imagined in my mind that I want for myself will happen.

Hitting the sack soon. Make good choices!

Day 786 - These Are Toughies!

2012-01-30T22:19:00.011-05:00

So apparently, I still don't understand that you guys really like it when I post pics of myself in my new (read, smaller) clothes. :-) Ok, ok - I get it. (I think.)

I posted my khaki pea coat pic on FB and got a LOT of positive feedback on it. Apparently, I need to wear more things that will accentuate my curves. But first, I need to get my head around the fact that I do have curves and an hour glass figure. It is still very hard for my mind and my head to catch up with my new (smaller) body. Those of you - especially the ladies - who have lost a significant amount of weight know exactly what I'm talking about. The image that's looking back at me in the mirror now is way different than from where I first started.

I bought these really cute V neck t shirts from Old Navy in a size L that really makes my tatas pop. (Wow - I can't believe I just said that. Seriously, Kelly?) I'm too chicken to post them because I don't want any perverted comments. You never know what kind of crazies might be out there.

I went to bed late last night. So I was dragging all day today. And when I got home from work, I had another load of laundry to do after the 2 I did yesterday. Now, I'm all done with laundry - for the week. And I knew I had to get the workout in ASAP, otherwise, I just wasn't going to do it, you know.

The laundry room is located outside my building. So I strapped on my HRM monitor, picked up my laundry bag, and literally ran to the laundry room as my warm up. Loaded the machine, and then ran back to my place. I did 16 minutes on the inclined treadmill, then I did The Firm Total Body Toner with Allie del Rio. She is way too perky for me in this DVD. Lindsey - do you like this DVD? I like it, I just can't stand it when she says things like, "These are toughies." or "So let's chat a moment." I'm just like, yeah, listen Allie - I'm doing these lunges with heavy weights, so I don't really feel like chatting for a moment, or listening to you say stupid things like, "These are toughies." No sh*t, Sherlock. I know they're tough because my glutes are screaming right now.

Anywho, I burned 512 calories. See?

Solid day in the books. Ate within my points, tracked everything, and got in all of my requirements.

I am hopeful. I know great and exciting things are in store for me. Like love. It's going to happen. This year. I just know it. I believe.

Need to wrap up now if I have any hopes of getting to bed before midnight. Make good choices!

Day 785 - Get Tough!

2012-01-29T22:22:00.007-05:00

Busy day for me today. I cleaned my oven, went to Trader Joe's then BJ's (no perverted comments, please), then to the Apple store to drop off my Mac Book and pick it up once they replaced the entire keyboard, then to Old Navy, where I bought this.

It's super cute, right? I'm not crazy about the belt tho.

In between all that, I somehow managed to squeeze in a workout. I started with 23 minutes on the inclined treadmill, then I did The Firm Parts Upper Body. I added an extra 5 minutes of more heavy lifting. I burned 472 calories.

Get Tough is something one of the instructors says during a particularly hard set of delt flies. Yeah - they are definitely tough!
I can barely lift my arms, they are sore already!

Better day today. Stayed within my points, tracked everything and got in all of my requirements.

Work tomorrow. I need to head to bed.

What do you guys think of the coat? I read all of your comments, by the way, and I appreciate them all, so very much!

Day 784 - WI Results.

2012-01-28T22:33:00.006-05:00

So apparently, you guys liked my dress pics, huh? LOL. I don't know why it's so hard to get it in my head that full body pics of me are a good thing. Or that people would actually want me to post them.

I was down 0.6 at WI today. I was hoping for more obviously, but I guess I'll take it. Shrug.

I had a super busy, super awesome day today. I was gone most of the day to visit my friend Rita from college. She just had her 2nd baby before Thanksgiving, and I made the trip upstate to see her and the kids. This is me holding baby Drew (Andrew Douglas.)

But before I went, I made sure to get in a great workout. I did The Firm Pump, Jump & Jab w/Kelsie Daniels. My arms and shoulders were on fire from yesterday, so when the push up section came on, I just couldn't do it. I tried, I really did, but it wasn't happening. Instead, I jumped onto the inclined treadmill for 15 minutes. I burned 577 calories.
Super busy day, but a great day. I was taken out of my routine a bit, so I didn't really eat. I haven't had dinner tonight, and now I'm just too tired to eat, if that makes any sense. I'll probably just make a quick PB&J on whole wheat bread, and call it a day. I'm exhausted.

I need to get to bed now. Such an exciting life I lead, I know. Tomorrow will be better. I am going to rock tomorrow!

Day 783 - More Pics & Last Chance Workout!

2012-01-27T21:02:00.013-05:00

Ok, Ok - apparently you guys wanted to see more pics of me in the new (smaller) clothes I got. Fine. I wasn't going to post these until Tuesday because that's when I've decided to take my next rest day. And since I never have anything to talk about rest days, I was going to talk about it then.

But then I got an email. From the super sweet Sarah. She said she wanted to see more pics about these cute new (smaller) clothes I kept talking about. I didn't have a full length mirror until today, when I bought one at lunch. I don't even have the thing mounted on my door yet. I had to improvise and mount it on a box and I took the photos that way.

And since it still shocks me to no end that more than 3 people actually read my blog, I decided to honor her request.

Anything for a blog reader. :-)

Full disclaimer: I had just showered, my hair was in a hair clip, and I had no make up on. And the lighting was terrible. So here goes.

Black shirt dress from Victoria's Secret, in a size Medium. It's tight around my chest. The little bit of white you see is my bra. Yup. I told you it was tight! And I really wish my legs were longer. I feel like my legs look really, really short here.

Asymmetrical, jersey-knit teal dress I bought from Macy's. Size Medium. Keyhole neckline. It's tight, I won't lie. I'm thinking that for both dresses, I still need to lose a MINIMUM of 20 pounds before they start to look decent on me. And by decent, I mean not as tight. I don't like looking like a stuffed sausage in these dresses. And I don't like feeling like one either.

I decided to go at my workout hard today. A last chance workout really needs to be hardcore, in my opinion. So I decided on No More Trouble Zones with Jillian Michaels. I did the warm up, hit pause, then went onto the inclined treadmill for 26 minutes. Sweating like a pig, feeling like I already got my workout in. But I went back to the DVD. OMG - Jillian is freaking crazy!

Lots of leg work, lots of shoulders & arms, lots of abs, and I thought I would die. I know my glutes will be sore as all hell tomorrow. I burned 738 calories.
Yeah, I look like 8 different kinds of hell, what can I tell you? Sweat is sexy!

Solid day in the bookds. Tracked everything, got in all of my requirements, and stayed within my points.

I can't wait for WI day tomorrow. I'm confident.

I am positive. I know this is my year. I know that great things are still in store for me.

What do you guys think of the pics? I'm dying to know, so leave me a comment. I know I still have a long way to go to look good in them and before they fit properly. And don't feel like you need to blow smoke up my butt. I have a thick skin, I can take it. :-)

Wrapping up now. Make good choices!

Day 782 - Rest Day and Another NSV!

2012-01-26T21:47:00.004-05:00

I took a rest day today, and usually, I have nothing to talk about on those days.

Today is different.

Today, I received some items in the mail that I had ordered from Victoria's Secret. Among those items, was a black shirt dress. In a size Medium.

It fit. Holy Jesus and everything that is holy. It fit. Major, MAEJAH NSV!

Ok - one small thing, no big deal, but I do need to mention it. The button that goes across my chest on the dress is tight. That's the only part of the dress that does not fit well.

I'm ok with that. For now. I know I'll be fitting into that dress right real soon. Soon.

I've been feeling positive even though it's my week to be PMSing. And I'm feeling the PMS like there's no tomorrow. TMI, I know, so I'm going to stop talking about it right now.

Today I was thinking, my life could be so different a year from now. I could be engaged a year from now. I could be planning a wedding a year for now. I could be trying for a baby a year from now.

All I can do right now though is to continue to focus on myself and be the best "me" I can be. I need to make myself happy first, and I know I'm doing all the things I need to be doing right now. :-)

Update on the nervous tick - today it was completely gone. Sleep is definitely the answer. LOL

I believe. I am positive. I know it will happen.

Tracked everything, got in all of my requirements, but I went over my points. Shrug. I am ok with that. Nothing major, and I am ready for tomorrow.

Wrapping up now because I am tired. I can't wait to get to bed.

Good choices people!

Day 781 - More Dreams About Me and Major NSV!

2012-01-25T20:43:00.008-05:00

What is it with people having dreams about me lately? Today, Kenlie told me that she had a dream that she was staying at my house. It was night time, and apparently, she was saying good night to me and my boyfriend, who was there also, but did not live there. She said he looked familiar, but she couldn't place him. She said in her dream, she was trying to remember where she had seen him, why he looked familiar, but she couldn't remember. When she woke up, she tried again to remember if she knew him, but she couldn't.

What do all these dreams about me having a boyfriend mean? Why can't I be having these dreams? Why can't I just have the boyfriend I want NOW? Because I'm a spoiled brat who wants what she wants NOW.

I know life doesn't work that way. The Universe does not work that way. I've been thinking about these dreams other people are having of me, and the obvious answer is, this is the Universe's way of saying that something new, like a boyfriend, is coming my way. Now, it's possible that the guy in these dreams represents something else that is not a boyfriend - a new friendship, a new relationship. But I'll be honest here - yeah, I believe a new guy is headed my way. I don't know who he is, I don't even know if I've even met him yet. But I guess that's the exciting part, right? :-)

I've had a nervous tick in my left eyebrow all day long. I think it's from lack of sleep. I need to stop going to bed past midnight from now on. For real. Tonight, I want to be in bed by 11. I'm not kidding. Whether or not that actually happens remains to be seen. Ugh - as I'm writing this, that nervous tick is still a-ticking. So annoying.

OMG - I'm jumping around here. I have to tell you guys about an awesome NSV I had today. At lunch, one of the girls I work with & I went to Macy's because we both had to get baby gifts. When we purchased our items, we decided to head upstairs to look at the sales. She found some stuff, and I found a teal, sleeveless, jersey knit dress. I pulled a Medium & a Large from the rack. I turned to Danielle, and I was like,

"Should I get the medium or the large?"

Danielle: "Get the medium. The large will be too big on you soon."

Twist my arm. I got the medium, and then told myself I would try it on when I got home. I didn't think for a second it would actually fit.

BUT. IT. DID. FIT. It was a little too tight around my hips, and it has a keyhole front that shows a little cleavage, but it's not obnoxious. I was tempted to take a photo of it, but I still don't have a full length mirror. (I know, I know, I'm buying it and an ironing table this weekend, I promise!) I also didn't like how it fit around my hips and thighs. If I'm honest with myself, I've got about 15-20 pounds to lose before I can look halfway decent in it.

(Holy sh@#!, I fit into a Medium!)

OK - so for my workout today, I did a quick 22 minutes on the inclined treadmill, then I did The Firm Maximum Body Shaping. Another compilation of other Firm DVDs, with the focus on sculpting. They really like their leg presses, squats and lunges in this one. My thighs and glutes were on fire. I will be sore tomorrow, I can feel it. I burned 632 calories.

Solid day in the books. Tracked everything, got in all of my requirements, and I went over my points by one. I'm ok with that.

I know everything that I want because I can see it in my mind. I know the life I want, the kind of man I want to be with, and the family I want also.

I am open. I deserve it. I know it will happen because I am positive and I believe.

Hoping to get to bed at a decent hour, so I need to wrap this up. Make good choices people! And believe!

Day 780 - Maintaining Positive Balance.

2012-01-24T21:29:00.007-05:00

I've made it pretty obvious that I lately, I have been practicing the fundamentals in The Secret. It is important to me that I maintain a positive balance and a positive attitude. Most times.

I'm not gonna lie - it's not always easy. I have my moments where I just want to wallow. But I've found that what's harder is to be miserable and depressed all the time. Being a downer 24/7 is just so. . . . time consuming? Unattractive? Undesirable? Useless? Unnecessary? A complete waste of time?

I had to stop following someone on Twitter and defriend her on Facebook because she was miserable all the time. I just couldn't take her negativity anymore. Some of the things she used to tweet were just unreal. I'm not going to name names, so don't even bother asking me about her.

My point in telling you about this is to show that I've had to weed out the negativity because I just don't have room in my life for it.

I've decided to focus on sculpting this week. I always get better results when I weight train on a regular basis. So I started with 23 minutes on the inclined treadmill, then I did The Firm Tough Tape 2. Old fashioned, old school Firm DVD. Leg warmers, panty hose, leotards, the whole 9. LOL. But I burned 563 calories.

Solid day again. Not quite as hungry, which is good. Tracked everything, stayed within my points, and got in all of my requirements.

I can envision in my head everything I want, and I know I just have to sit back and let the Universe work its magic. It will come to me - love, the husband, the babies - everything. I just need to patient and step back - and focus on myself. I need to be the best me I can be.

That's all for now. Make good choices people. :-)

Day 779 - There is A Bigger Reason.

2012-01-23T21:36:00.007-05:00

I am just going to continue the Drazil love fest. But first, I have to say this: I really love social media. Blogging, Facebook, and Twitter have allowed me to discover new people, be exposed to new ideas and new ways of thinking. I love it - and I love you all!

Drazil really got me thinking today. Here is what she said to me that got the wheels turning in my head:

"There's some bigger reason we met in blogland and I don't think either of us knows it yet."

Whoa. Talk about profound and deep.

I teared up when I read this. I'm not kidding. I was so touched and deeply moved.

I don't know what the reason is. Maybe we all take inspiration from each other? Maybe certain people are more relatable than others? Maybe we need these great people in our lives and we just haven't realized why? Maybe the Universe is rewarding us by putting great people into our lives and we don't even know it yet? Maybe my sweaty pics are just so damn mesmerizing? (JK)

I'm not sure, and I don't know. But I do agree that there is a bigger reason. I do know that I've met so many wonderful people through social media, and again, I don't know what the reason for that is. I don't know why they were put into my life, and I don't know why I was put into theirs. All I know is that I am so grateful for each and everyone of you!

I was uncertain about how to approach my workout today. Strength, cardio? In the end, I decided on a combination of both. I started with 25 minutes on the inclined treadmill, then I did The Firm Super Body Sculpt with Stephanie Corley. And I burned 524 calories.

I look really tired here. I mean, I look sleepy to the point where I could take a nap right then and there. LOL. Anywho.

Today was a hungry day for me for some reason. I wanted to snack on everything, but I didn't. It's a good thing I don't keep trigger foods in my desk at work or in my house. That's a recipe for disaster.

I tracked everything, stayed within my points (barely), and got in all of my requirements. Solid day in the books.

What do you guys think? Is there a bigger reason? What is the reason? Anyone have any answers or thoughts? Let me know.

One more snippet of my day before that I have to tell you about. This morning, Tara (one of the girls I work with) came over to my desk and told me she had a dream about me last night. She was like, "I had a dream that you had a boyfriend and he came here to take you out to lunch."

Me: "Really? What did he look like?"

T: "He had dark hair, dark eyes, and was tall."

Me: "Oooh - sounds interesting! Was he cute? In shape?"

T: "Oh yeah - definitely!"

Me: "Well, awesome. I can't even remember what I dreamed last night."

T: "Hey - maybe I'll turn out to be psychic!"

Interesting, right? If any of you interpret dreams - let me know what this means. Tara & I get along, but we're not super close. Which is fine, but it doesn't explain why she would dream about me. I don't think I've ever dreamed about her. Shrug.

Thoughts and feelings are actions. What you give out, the Universe gives back to you. So fill yourself up with as much positivity as possible.

Wrapping up now. Make good choices!

Day 778 - Some Day Soon My Time Will Come. . .

2012-01-22T21:13:00.004-05:00

You guys. . . .

I love you all. Seriously. Your comments made my day. And put a super huge smile on my face. Thank you all! P.S. If you're friends with me on Facebook, I changed my profile photo to the one I posted on my blog yesterday. The trench coat photo was a major hit! LOL

Drazil - I heart you. For real.

I totally love you. It's sweet comments like the one you left me that turned the somewhat crappy day I was having yesterday completely around. I too feel like I'm on the brink of something great - and getting what I want (and what I want can mean a lot of different things.) I have to remember (and here's where it gets REALLY hard for me) that sometimes I need to take a step back and let things develop naturally. Which also means being patient, which is not one of my virtues at all. (Spoiled brat.) I mean, I'm not going to lose all the weight I want to lose in a week. I'm not going to find the guy and the house and the white picket fence and have the babies in a week. It's just not going to happen that way. But I know that someday soon, my time will come. . .

It blows my mind, Draz, that I inspire you. Girl - you are the embodiment of all that is rock star fabulous. So for you to say that to me - seriously, I teared up. And I don't say that lightly at all. You are incredibly sweet. :-)

Feeling a lot better today than yesterday. I took a rest day and went shopping again. But I didn't get anything this time. Not a very successful shopping trip. It's ok though.

I had to bring my MacBook to the Apple Store because my keyboard is broken. Well, the F key is broken - as in, it's completely broken off. I thought I would have to pay to get it repaired, but they are replacing the entire keyboard for free! So, thank Apple! :-) They had to order the keyboard, and it will be in later this week, hopefully.

Then I went to Crate & Barrel which is right next to the Apple store to buy the matching salad dishes to go with the salad bowl that Wendy & Carlton got me. Ummm,, why didn't you people tell me how fabulous that store is? I wanted to buy everything in there! I walked out with 4 salad dishes and glass candle platter for my votives. I'll be going back there when I bring my laptop to the Apple store.

Great day in the books. I got in all of my requirements, tracked everything, and stayed within my points.

I know great things are in store for me. I just wish I knew when exactly they were going to happen! LOL. I am positive. I am hopeful. I know what I want and I can visualize it in my head.

I can't believe the weekend is over already. Bummer.

My day is coming. Soon. I can feel it. Good choices people!

Day 777 - WI Results. And Thanks, Draz!

2012-01-21T21:24:00.008-05:00

It snowed last night! Ugh. I'm just glad I didn't have to shovel anything. LOL. Below is a pic I took of my complex from my front steps this morning.

Now for WI results. Sorry, I probably should've led with this first. I lost 2 pounds! I'm now at 194 lbs., the lowest I've been in 8 years. I am rocking Weight Watchers now! :-)

Draz, one of my fave ladies (and bloggers) emailed me that she couldn't leave comments on my blog anymore. That made me sad. She explained how I could fix it. Which I did. But before that, she told me something really sweet:

"I just want to tell you that I'm not sure how much you know you inspire me...but you do. This is going to be YOUR year!"

Oh my goodness. When I received her email, I was sitting on my couch, with the TV on, looking out at the window at the snow, while browsing on my laptop simultaneously. (I am nothing if not a great multi-tasker.)

Blimey. So now I HAD to get up and stop procrastinating. I mean, it's going to be my year, right? But Draz, I really was enjoying the comfort of my couch tho. Sigh.

So I got up, kicking and screaming and stomping my feet, got changed, and went to work. Still kicking & screaming. I went on the inclined treadmill for an hour. I was pouring sweat, and I burned 573 calories. See?
Being in the house was making me go a little stir crazy. I didn't want to venture out in the snow, but I couldn't stand being in the house anymore either. So I decided to go shopping. I hit up Old Navy with the intention of getting work clothes. Everything I have is too big on me now, and just hangs off me (Danielle's words, not mine. Danielle is one of the girls I work with.)

I couldn't find any decent work clothes, but this cute trench coat caught my eye. I instinctively reached for the XL. And guess what?

It was too big on me. No way.

I grabbed a size L, some jeans, and headed to the fitting room. I thought, there's no way this size L will fit. It will never fit over my hips.

And then, I tried it on. And I almost cried. Right there in the fitting room. I took a picture and posted it to Facebook & Twitter.
I'm not really sure what I'm doing with my other hand here. I'm patting myself on the hip for a job well done, I think. But you guys - the trench coat fit! (Well, it was really tight around my chest, but that's a different story. Those puppies have a mind of their own.) And it looks like I have a waist here!

I got a lot of nice comments on Facebook about this. I need to start posting more full body shots of myself, apparently. LOL.

I got this trench coat and a few tshirts. Nothing else. I didn't like how my lower body looked in the jeans, so I didn't even bother.

I didn't stay for my WW meeting because of the weather. I should've stayed, but there you have it.

I went way over my points today, but I'm ok with that. I did get all of my requirements in, so I'm not going to stress about it.

I need to get to bed now. Tomorrow, more shopping. And I'm going to Nordstrom's to get properly fitted for new bras. I think I'm wearing the wrong size. It's possible I may have gone down a cup size also, so I definitely need to go to this fitting.

Ok - I'm exhausted - make good choices! :-)

Day 776 - Last Chance Workout!

2012-01-20T22:26:00.004-05:00

So this is what burning 610 calories looks like!

My last chance workout today was a doozy. I mean, it was killer. I started with 15 minutes on the inclined treadmill, then I did Kick Max with Cathe Friedrich. This DVD is insane! Those plyo tucks especially almost killed me. I'm not kidding. I was pouring sweat when all was said and done. Yup, hardcore last chance workout for me today.

You know, the last 6-7 weeks have been life changing for me. I've moved out on my own, I've been losing consistently since Thanksgiving, and I have FINALLY entered One-Derland - and stayed there - for consecutive weeks. That has never happened before, and I honestly believe it's because I'm on my own now and no longer living with my parents.

I am also starting to get a little more attention than I used to. From friends, from bloggy & Twitter peeps (and yes, even men!) Don't get me wrong - it's nice hearing Congrats from people, but it also makes me realize that I still have a long way to go to be where I want to be. And I know I will get there. I just need to take a step back and REALLY focus on this weight loss journey of mine. Nothing else. Because I matter, and everything else can take a backseat - for now.

I get too into my own head and I tend to focus on things I have no control over - I obsess about things that may or may not happen, and I need to stop doing that. Will I find him - have I already met him - what will my life be like a year from now? Things like that. And while I want love to find me, I know that I can't make it happen or force it along either. So right now, from this moment on - I am going to focus on me, and make myself the most important person in my life. Because I deserve all the things that I want, I am positive it will happen, and I am open to a lot more now than I was, but I need to love and focus on the person I am becoming. Now more than ever. I need to make ME a priority. All those great things will happen later. Of that I am sure. And everything just needs to happen naturally and organically, the way it's always supposed to.

WI day is tomorrow, and I am confident I will show a loss. I ate well today, tracked everything, got in all of my requirements, and stayed within my points. I'm not sure if I will stay for the meeting, depending on the weather. It's supposed to start snowing tonight and into the afternoon tomorrow, so I may just WI and leave. We'll see.

I am open, I am positive, and I am important to me. I matter.

It's really, really late, and I need to get to bed. Good choices people! And let life happen to you naturally. :)

Day 775 - Dragging My Feet Today.

2012-01-19T22:19:00.006-05:00

I feel like I'm at about 85% now. Almost better, and my head felt much clearer also. Taking a half day yesterday really helped me.

At lunchtime, I went and got a desperately needed eyebrow wax. Seriously, I kept forgetting to do that, and it was just a mess around my eyes. I couldn't stand it anymore. First world problems, I know.

I decided to forego the treadmill today. I just wanted to try something different for a change. So instead I used heavy weights for about 10 minutes to get some sculpting in, then I did The Firm Bootcamp Maximum Calorie Burn with Alison Davis. I hadn't done that DVD in forever! And - I completed ALL the advanced moves - which I have NEVER done simply because I couldn't do it before. It felt awesome! I burned 485 calories.

That's hard core sweat pouring from my collar bones, people. I actually have collar bones now. That you can see, anyway. Wild. Can you tell my eyebrows look better? LOL.

I can feel my body changing. I can feel myself changing, being open to trying new things - albeit kicking and screaming sometimes. I know love is around the corner. I don't know when or with whom, but I just feel it's going to happen. I just know it's going to happen. Soon. And that makes me feel . . . .happy? Excited? Breathless? All of those things, I guess.

I am positive. I have hope. And I know exactly what it is that I want.

Solid day in the books. Tracked everything, got in all of my requirements, and stayed within my points.

I really need to make it a point of getting to bed before midnight. One of these days. LOL.

More tomorrow. Good choices!

Day 774 - Much Better! (Fingers crossed)

2012-01-18T21:23:00.008-05:00

Yesterday, I felt absolutely miserable. So much so that I didn't even post until this morning. And I didn't workout because I just felt Big no-no in my book. I couldn't smell anything, not even the new furniture smell that still is lingering in my bedroom. And I definitely did not workout, which left me feeling all sorts of strange. I don't like skipping workouts. But I just couldn't do it. The pressure in my head was too much.

Today I am feeling better. Much better. So hopefully this means I am getting better. Thank goodness for cipro. Yesterday I was cursing it because it wasn't working quickly enough for my taste (I'm an impatient spoiled brat, k?)

Different story today. This morning, I still felt icky. I couldn't breathe out of my nose, my head was still stuffy, so I decided to leave work early. It was for the best. I got my oil changed, then went straight home.

It was very strange to just sit on my couch in the middle of the workday, but that's what I did. I rested. And I feel so much better because I did.

I even had the energy to get a really great workout in. Quick turnaround, I know. I started with 22 minutes on the inclined treadmill, then I did The Firm Parts Upper Body. I decided to up the weights, and my entire upper body was on fire! In a good way though. =) I burned 514 calories, and I was pouring sweat.

Seriously, who says weight training doesn't burn calories? Besides, it's so good for you. And it felt great to get back to my routine.

This year, I just know great things are going to happen to me. They are already happening, if I am honest with myself.

I am open. I am positive. I can visualize what I want.

Today, I went online and bought a few things from Victoria's Secret - a store I thought I'd never be able to shop at again. I bought 2 cute dresses and a few tops. In a SMALLER SIZE. If I can visualize it, it will happen.

Solid day. Ate within my points, tracked everything, and got in all of my requirements.

I need to get to bed. Work comes early. Good choices!

Day 773 - Still Feeling Under the Weather.

2012-01-18T09:22:00.003-05:00

Self imposed rest day today.

I have to listen to my body when it's telling me that it's feeling lousy. Which it is.

I don't like skipping workouts. It makes me feel guilty. But sometimes, you just have to do that. One of my Twitter buddies said working out when you're sick might do more harm than good. Which I know is true, but I still have trouble believing it since working out is supposed to be so good for you.

Such is life.

I ate well, tracked everything, and stayed within my points. I can't really taste anything because I'm stuffy, but I knew that since I wasn't going to be working out, I needed to do well with my food intake.

Hopefully I will be back tomorrow feeling slightly better. I'm taking cipro, Airborne & tonight I will be taking Nyquil.

Visualize what you want. Remember your thoughts are your actions. Be open. Be positive.

I am open to love and I deserve to be loved.

More later.

Day 772 - Feeling Under the Weather.

2012-01-16T21:57:00.007-05:00

I woke up this morning sick. Bummer. I'm taking Airborne & cipro (antibiotic.) Hopefully, I won't be sick much longer.

As promised, here are some photos of Marcus.

I think he looks like my Dad. How cute is this munchkin? Love.

I debated about whether or not to work out today. In truth, I wanted to use being sick as an excuse. But I decided that I would regret it if I skipped my workout. At first, I was only going to do a quick 30 minute DVD. Which I started to do. Then I hit pause, jumped onto the inclined treadmill for 20 minutes, and went back to doing The Firm Fat Blasting Cardio with Lisa Kay. I felt great. And I burned 490 calories.

Unfortunately, the endorphins wore off a little, just a little, and now I can only breathe through one nostril. Not going to stress about it, because added stress will only make me sick longer. And who needs that? I am hoping to be better by the end of the week, at least by WI time. It's not the end of the world if I'm not, but no one wants to be sick any longer than they need to be, right?

I am open to love and I deserve to be loved. I will take a step back and let things happen organically. I believe it will happen. Good things come to those who wait!

If you're friends with me on Facebook, then you know that I am trying to embrace my hour glass figure. I am owning my curves! Curves are the bomb, aren't they? :)

Solid day. Tracked everything, got in all of my requirements, and stayed within my points.

Wrapping up now. I'm getting to bed early in the hope of fending off this bug. Make good choices!

Day 771.

2012-01-15T21:38:00.002-05:00

Chubby - you are so adorable. When I read your comment, I laughed out loud too! What must your kids have been thinking? LOL!!

Anywho - a great loss has to be followed by more great efforts. So today, before I left my house, I got in a great workout. I did 25 minutes on the inclined treadmill, then The Firm Tough Tape with Tracie Long. I burned 715 calories.

Who says weight training won't burn calories? I was sweating my ass off.

We went up to my brother's to see the kids. Sonia slept at her grandparents' house the night before, so we didn't get to see her. What a bummer. I really wanted to see her - I love that kid.

The baby is adorable. I think he looks like my Dad. I'll post pics tomorrow of the little munchkin tomorrow.

Another solid day in the books. Although now, I think I'm coming down with something. My throat feels funny, and I'm sneezing. I have Airborne and Cipro, so I think I've got it covered. Fingers crossed. I hate being sick. Last winter, I got sick twice. Within 6 or 7 weeks of each other. Anywho, I tracked everything, got in all of my requirements, and stayed within my points.

I am open to love and I deserve to be loved. It will happen because I know it will. I believe. I hope.

I need to get to bed. Work tomorrow. Make good choices!

Day 770 - WI Results.

2012-01-14T22:28:00.007-05:00

I lost 2.2 lbs this week. I am on fire! I am now at 196 lbs. Slowly creeping away from the 2 century mark, never to go back there again! I also lost a point of my daily points. I went from having 30 a day to 29.

The comments I got on my full body shot from all of you were just so sweet! I am trying to accept that I DO have an hour glass figure since my self-view is so distorted from what other people see when they see me. I do have curves, I do have a waist, I do have hips, I do have thighs, and yes, I do have boobs also. LOL. I really do love my boobs. No lie. :)

Rest day for me today. But Wendy & Carlton came over to my place for the first time, and we had such a great time! Check out the housewarming gifts they got me. So sweet.

Salad bowl from Crate & Barrel. It matches the fruit bowl I bought from Target. I'm going to get the 4 little salad bowls to match. It goes so well with the decor and overall theme of my place. Earthy, warm, & welcoming colors. I love that.

Second gift from them:
Marble cheese board. Crate & Barrel. Don't you just love how I'm trying to feature the granite countertops? Love, love, love.

It was great seeing them, and catching up with Wendy. I love her, she's my family.

I had a really great day. Tracked everything, got in all of my requirements, and went over my points. No biggie, I'll be back to the grind tomorrow.

I am open to love and I deserve to be loved.

I am positive. I have hope. It will happen because I deserve it.

I need to get to bed - so tired! Make good choices!

Day 769 -Full Body Shot for Chubby!

2012-01-13T22:38:00.005-05:00

I am not a fan of full body shots. I HATE how I look in photos.

Yesterday, Chubby posted a challenge for everyone to take full body shots of themselves and post them on their blogs. So here's mine, from work today.

Hour glass figure? I wish. I'm more of a pear, I think. I'm very bottom heavy - you can totally see that from this pic. What do you think, Chubby?

Anywho - quick recap of my workout and my day since I'm fading fast here. I did sprints on the inclined treadmill today! First time ever. I did about 5, for a minute each, at 7.0, before I felt like I was gonna die. Then I did The Firm Maximum Cardio with Carissa Foster, and I burned 614 calories.

I wasn't very happy with my workout today. My HRM kept giving me problems. It wouldn't pick up my heart rate, and it would just stop. I know I should be satisfied with how I did today, but eh. I know 614 calories is nothing to sneeze at (sniff at?) but I felt like it could've been more.

Good day overall. Tracked everything, stayed within my points, and got in all of my requirements.

WI is tomorrow. I know I will show a loss. I am confident.

I am open to love and I deserve to be loved. I am positive. I have hope. It will happen because I deserve it.

I'll let ya'll know tomorrow how WI went. My BFF Wendy & her husband are coming over to my place for the first time, and I can't wait.

Make good choices!

Day 768 - 1X is now too big on me!

2012-01-12T21:15:00.012-05:00

While Kenlie was here, I tried on plus size clothes that I bought from Old Navy a looong time ago. Button down shirts in size 1X that are really cute to wear to work, but I couldn't fit into them because they were too tight.

They fit. In fact, they were TOO BIG.

I cried. For about a minute. I realized just how great it feels to have to shop now for SMALLER clothes. Which I will be doing this weekend. I can't believe I'll be doing that! Think I'll be taking photos in the fitting room and posting them. Full body shots. That scares me. Don't ask me why. It just does.

If you don't read Chubby's blog, you totally should. You're missing out. Love her. She posted on Facebook that I - of all people - inspired her to push her workout today.

I inspire people? Seriously? Que?

So she pushed herself and burned more than 500 calories. I can't remember the exact number. But it felt awesome, didn't it C? :)

So I felt I needed to push myself today. Because even after my workout yesterday, even with my glutes and thighs being sore, I know how I feel after I push myself during a hard workout. So I jumped onto the inclined treadmill for 30 minutes (glutes and thighs were screaming the whole time) then I did The Firm Calorie Killer with Nancy Tucker. And I burned 657 calories.

Thanks for the inspiration, Chubby!

Endorphins totally rock. Just saying.

Solid day is in the books. Tracked everything, got in all of my requirements, and stayed within my points. Great day.

I am open to love and I deserve to be loved. Visualize what you want and remember that your thoughts and your feelings are your actions.

You never know when you're going

Day 767 - No mas Kenlie.

2012-01-11T21:02:00.009-05:00

No mas Kenlie. Sad face. She left me this sweet note on my dining table this morning.

How sweet, right? Poor Kenlie put up with my eccentricities and my neuroses. She has the patience of a saint, I'm telling you. She's seriously the best friend that anyone could have, and I'm lucky to have her. =)

Back to the grind again. I was happy to see that my desk at work wasn't completely insane. But I was soooo tired. I was dragging ass at work. Shrug.

I didn't want to use the treadmill today, I just wanted to change it up a little. I did The Firm 500 Calorie Burn Workout with Kelsie Daniels. I hadn't done this DVD in forever. I burned 516 calories.
Good solid day for me. I was on plan, tracked everything, stayed within my points, and got in all of my requirements.

I am open to love and I deserve to be loved.

I have hope. I believe. I know it will happen. I deserve it.

Your thoughts and your feelings are actions. Visualize what you want and let the Universe give it back to you.

Wrapping up now. Make good choices!

Day 766 - Kenlie's Last Day in NY - Dead Sea Scrolls!

2012-01-10T22:02:00.004-05:00

Quick 5 sentence post, since I'm exhausted. We've been hitting NYC everyday all day since Saturday, and I'm worn out.

It's Kenlie's last day today, and she's leaving at an ungodly hour during the night.

Before we went to see The Dead Sea Scrolls, I got in a quick 50 minutes on the inclined treadmill and burned 534 calories.

I tried to take photos of the Dead Sea Scrolls, but they were watching us like hawks. I managed to take a photo of this stone slab. It's part of the Western Wall (Wailing Wall) in Jerusalem. (It's in Jerusalem, right?)

I will miss Kenlie, but I will be happy to get back to my normal everyday routine. Luv ya to death Kenz, but I'm done with walking around Manhattan for 8 hours a day for 5 days straight. No mas.

OK - hitting the sack since I have to get to work tomorrow.

Day 765 - Here's what One-Derland in NYC looks like!

2012-01-09T21:58:00.008-05:00

Hi people! Been super busy hanging out with Kenz all over the city. Here are some photos of our excursions so far.

Kenlie took this full body shot of me on Saturday at the beach, the day she arrived and the day I reached One-Derland. That day was extremely mild for January in NY - about 60 degrees. She says I have an hour glass figure. She's so sweet. All I can see are my child bearing hips and huge thunder thighs.
We went to the Museum of Natural History. Lots of great times!

Today was my rest day, so I'll be back at it tomorrow.

I am open to love and I deserve to be loved. I am positive. I have hope. I know it will happen. Because I deserve it.

My thoughts and my feelings are my actions. I will be positive.

It's getting late, so I'm wrapping up now. Make good choices.

Day 764 - Museum of Natural History!

2012-01-08T22:35:00.006-05:00

We went to the Museum of Natural History today, across the street from Central Park. Can you believe I had never been? I know, I know, I've lived in NY my whole life and have never been there. Kenlie & I had so much fun! It was freezing out though, and we both didn't bundle up properly.

I have photos that I posted to Facebook that I took at the museum. I would post them here, except I left my phone in my car like an idiot, and I just don't feel like getting it right now. LOL.

We went to eat at a Japanese fusion restaurant. The food was ok. I don't know how to use chopsticks since I rarely go out to eat. And I don't eat seafood of any kind either, so Kenlie asked the waiter to bring me over a fork. It was actually kind of funny. I was really worried about it because I looked around at all the other tables and NO ONE had utensils on their tables. Everyone was using chopsticks. Stupid thing to freak out over, but that was me. Poor Kenz, putting up with my stupid neuroses. LOL. I had chicken teriyaki with brown rice. It was that great. I finished less than half of it. I wasn't very impressed.

But before we went out, I had to work out. I went to my mother's to do laundry and decided to get my workout in while I was there. I did 55 minutes on the inclined treadmill. I burned 591 calories.

I'm rocking the breast cancer awareness pink sports bra from Champion. I haven't been able to fit into this bra in forever. Major NSV.

I tracked everything, got in all of my requirements, and went over my points by 2. I'm ok with that though.

I will post more photos tomorrow, promise.

I am open to love and I deserve to be loved. It will happen. I believe it will. I know it will.

My thoughts and my feelings are my actions. I will be positive and let the Universe send positive things and people my way.

So be positive, feel positive, and make good choices!

Day 763 - One-Derland & Kenlie!

2012-01-07T23:31:00.003-05:00

I lost 1.8 lbs this week, and I weighed in this morning at 198.2 lbs. I'm in One-Derland, bloggy peeps! I can't tell you awesome that feels. Finally!

Right after WI, I had to get to JFK to pick up Kenlie! She's visiting NY (and me) until Weds. this morning. She's so excited to be back in NY.

Know what she said when she first saw me? "I can't believe how much skinnier you look than the last time I saw you!"

She called me skinny. Isn't that cute? LOL.

We did some touristy things in the city today, but I had to get in a workout before we left. I started with 17 minutes on the inclined treadmill, then I did The Firm Cardio Sculpt Blaster with Lisa Kay. I burned 459 calories. See?

I'm so tired. I tracked everything, got in all of my requirements, and stayed within my points.

I am open to love and I deserve to be loved.

I am positive. I have hope. Things will happen organically if you take a step back. It will happen. I know it will.

Thoughts and feelings are actions. So fill yourself up with lots of positivity, and let the Universe work its magic. And make good choices!

Day 762 - Last Chance Workout!

2012-01-06T22:00:00.003-05:00

Thank God it's Friday. I'm so over this week already!

Quick post, because it's late, I'm tired, and I've got a busy few days in front of me.

I've also been super busy at work lately.

Anywho, I decided to run to my Mom's house real quick at lunchtime today. I got in a nice 30 minute session on the inclined treadmill. Sweated my butt off and I felt great. When I got home from work, I decided to do The Firm Ultimate Calorie Blaster with Stephanie Huckabee. She is tough - I mean, this workout is no joke. I burned 759 calories total today.

My sports bra was totally soaked, I'm not kidding.

(You can almost see collar bones, too.)

I tracked everything, got in all of my requirements, and stayed within my points.

I am really excited about tomorrow because I am hitting One-Derland at WI in the morning. I know I am. And I'm staying there, dammit! :)

I am open to love and I deserve to be loved. I am positive. It will happen. I have hope. I believe.

I will step back and let things happen organically. I know things will happen - I can just feel it. I have hope. And I have confidence.

Thoughts and feelings are actions. Be positive always. And make good choices!

Days 760-761 - I'm going to Fitbloggin' 2012!

2012-01-05T20:58:00.006-05:00

Sorry about not posting yesterday, people! I had to take my mother to the doctor, and apparently, they were extremely busy. The appointment was for 5:45 PM, and we didn't see the doctor til an hour later. Oh well, these things happen. No worries - I stayed on plan yesterday, even though I didn't work out. I got home too late - I didn't eat dinner til 9 PM last night.

I was having a bad day today. I don't care to go into detail about it. Anywho, at lunch I needed to go to the bank, and next to it is Macy's. On a lark, I went inside and I went to the normal-sized clothes section. I tried on 2 blazers and 1 black peacoat. In a Size Large. And they fit! Comfortably fit! Me, the girl who weighs 200 pounds, is able to fit into a Large!

I so needed that, I'm telling you. I will take pics of me in the later, I promise. I still don't have a full length mirror.

Oh, and to end the day - I'm going to Fitbloggin' 2012! I booked my hotel room already, and now I just need to book my flight to Baltimore. Which I will do later. Maybe in April. I am so excited!

I knew my workout today had to be hardcore. So I started with 27 minutes on the inclined treadmill, then I did Step Reebok: The Video with Gin Miller. I sweated like a pig and burned a whole shit ton of calories - 759 calories, to be exact.

I really needed this workout today. Not only did it make me feel better, but thanks to some awesome bloggy & FB peeps, I have learned that sometimes I need to take a step back and NOT get soo into my own head. :)

Great day overall - in spite of the craptastic start to it. I ate well, tracked everything, stayed within my points, and got in all of my requirements. I feel awesome. I feel beautiful.

I am open to love and I deserve to be loved.

I am positive. I have hope. I deserve to have everything I want.

I will take a step back and let things happen naturally. Organically. Visualize what it is you want and let the Universe do the rest. Be positive - and FEEL positive.

And make good choices!

Day 759 - Just push harder.

2012-01-03T21:20:00.005-05:00

I had a crazy busy day at work today. So I was really tired when I got home. Which reminds me. I couldn't open the door to my building. I got the key in the lock, the key turned, but the door wouldn't open. At first I thought it was because I had my gloves on, so I took them off and tried again. And again. And again. Apparently, they lubricated the locks because I got this oily substance on my hands. Gross. It was freezing tonight, still is. It's about 19 degrees here right now. I couldn't feel my fingers anymore. So I called the office. Closed. I called the emergency number, and luckily I got the maintenance guy on the phone right away.

He came over and got the door open for me. "You just need to push the door harder." Is what he told me. The locks are so old, and they all need to be changed but the board won't do that because it's too expensive. In the freezing cold, they don't work as well as when it's warmer out. Shrug. Just push harder. Whatever.

Anywho, I had all this nervous energy tonight. And I decided to focus on cardio this week instead of sculpting. I'll go back to that next week. I started with 27 minutes on the inclined treadmill, then I did MMA Kickboxing with Cathe Friedrich. I love that DVD. I need to do it more often. I think the workout cast included 2 real life MMA fighters. I'm not sure though. Anywho, I burned 638 calories.

Solid day overall. Tracked everything, stayed within my points, and got in all of my requirements.

I am open to love and I deserve to be loved.

Believe. Be positive. It will happen. Because I deserve it. Because we all deserve it. Focus and visualize, people. And make good choices!

Day 758 - Unexpected Rest Day.

2012-01-02T20:34:00.002-05:00

Thanks everyone all the birthday wishes! Love all my bloggy peeps.

Back to work tomorrow. No quiero. (I don't wanna in Spanish.)

Unexpected rest day for me today. I woke up sore, but the soreness wore off as the day went on. I'm actually pretty good. Last night, I would get up from the couch and be moving around like an arithritic 90 year old. Yeah, last night was bad. Today, not so much.

I made chicken soup with vegetables from scratch today. I think it came out alright, maybe it's a little bland, as in not enough salt. But I think it's better to be bland than for something to be supersalty. I made it with garlic, onions, chicken stock, carrots, celery, potatoes, peas, turnips, and of course, chicken. I'm bringing it tomorrow for lunch with some whole wheat toast to make it a little more filling.

I went to my Mom's and did laundry, went on a BJ's run (no perverted comments, please), then got a mani/pedi/eyebrow wax before finally heading home. That was my birthday present to myself. I deserve it. :-)

I am open to love and I deserve to be loved.

Solid day. Tracked everything, stayed within my points, and got in all of my requirements. I am going to stay within my points from now on. I stepped on the scale this morning and I was up a pound & a half. So I freaked out, and resolved to nip that shit in the bud now. I am getting to One-Derland when I WI on again Saturday. Come hell or high water.

So I am going to visualize what it is I want and be positive. Think positive and feel positive. Thoughts are actions, people. Make good choices!

Day 757 - Happy Birthday to Me!

2012-01-01T21:51:00.004-05:00

Happy New Year people! And Happy Birthday to me! Yes, I'm a New Year's baby. Those of you who are my friends on Facebook - thanks for the birthday wishes!

Today, I ran 5 miles. Because I am a psycho. I ran 5 miles with The Sadist. Remember her?

How sweet and innocent does she look? I finished in 1 hour, 3 minutes, and 27 seconds. We took 1 minute walking breaks after every mile.

Here's my post race glow.
I'm not really sure what I'm trying to do here with this pose. It looks like a semi-squat. Anywho, that's me.

I think I burned about 750ish calories, but I can't be sure. My HRM watch wouldn't pick up my heart rate through out the whole race, so this is a safe estimate. It might've even been more, because I was working hard.

Around mile 3, a girl started running alongside us & said, "Do you mind if I pace with you guys?" We were like, "Sure, no problem." Her name was Jessica, and she ran the rest of the race with us. I actually had a lot of fun, but I felt everything going sore around mile 4. Maybe even sooner than that. Just now, I got up from my couch and had trouble walking. Yeah, I'm in some MAJOR pain right now. WTF was I thinking? But at least I did it, and I finished.

I pushed myself, and it felt good. In spite of all the pain I'm now feeling.

I mean, I ran 5 miles today!

Good solid day overall for me today. I tracked everything, got in all of my requirements, and went over my points again - by 5. I'm ok with this. I burned an incredible amount of calories during my run this morning, so it's all good. Tomorrow, and for the rest of the week, I'm staying within my points.

I am open to love and I deserve to be loved.

It will happen. I believe. I hope. I am positive.

Remain positive and visualize what it is you want. It will come to you if you believe you are worthy of it and if you believe you deserve it.

Make good choices!

Day 756 - New Year's Eve.

2011-12-31T22:12:00.004-05:00

I weighed in at a solid 200 lbs. this morning. Which means I lost 2.8 lbs. this week. I'm happy with that loss.

Old Kelly would be fixated on that 0.2 it would've taken to be in One-Derland again. I thought about it for a brief second - I won't lie - but I'm not obsessing about it. I'm not pissed that I didn't lose another 0.2. Instead, I'm focusing on the fact that I lost almost 3 lbs. this week, and I've been losing steadily since Thanksgiving. That's pretty fucking awesome, thank you very much. I'll get there this week - I know I will. I'm positive!

I got in a really great workout New Year's Eve workout today. I decided to do The Firm Power Half Hour with Emily Welsh. I did the warm up, hit pause, then jumped onto the inclined treadmill for 21 minutes. Then I went back to the DVD, and I finished with 532 calories burned. I sweated my ass off, and my sports bra was soaked with sweat again.

That's real sweat people - no joke.

I'm staying at my Mom's tonight. We're having pizza & salad for dinner. Then tomorrow morning, I'm meeting my friend Lisa for a 5 mile free run. I think I must've been on crack when I suggested doing this together with her, thinking it would be a great idea. How the fuck am I going to do this - much less finish this? Christ. The park where the run is being held is closer to my Mom's house, hence the reason why I'm spending the night here.

Anywho - another solid day for me. I went above my points, but if I factor in my Activity Points & my Weeklies, I'm good. I tracked everything and got in all of my requirements.

I am open to love and I deserve to be loved.

I am positive. It will happen. Because I believe it will. And I deserve it.

I have to get to bed now since I need to wake up early tomorrow morning.

Remain positive people. Visualize what it is what you want, feel it, and believe that it will happen. Because it will - if you believe that you deserve it.

That's what I want for 2012. Positivity. Belief. Hope. And good choices!

2012 is gonna be my bitch!

Day 755 - Last Chance Workout!

2011-12-30T22:25:00.005-05:00

It's Friday, ya'll! Which means tomorrow is WI.

I was busy today. I cleaned obsessively (I'm not done with that yet), I went grocery shopping since there was nothing in my house, and I went to BBB. Still not done w/the home shopping yet, since I have to go back tomorrow. All good. Slowly but surely, the place is coming along.

So let me tell you about my workout because I really kicked it up a notch. For real. I decided to take out The Firm Calorie Explosion with Alison Davis. This workout is exactly as it sounds. It's crazy. I'm not kidding. I had trouble keeping up with the moves.

I did the 5 minute warm up to the DVD, hit pause & jumped onto the inclined treadmill for 16 minutes. I read that your body does not begin burning fat until 20 minutes after you start a physical activity. This is why I always do at least 20 minutes on the treadmill. In this case, I took into consideration the quick warm up. Then I went back to the DVD. Good Lord - this workout is insane! I burned 760 calories and sweated like a pig.

My sports bra was soaked with sweat. Sexy, I know.

WI tomorrow. I'm going to start a new 2012 weight loss chart starting with tomorrow's WI.

I am open to love and I deserve to be loved.

It will happen. I believe it. I know it. I deserve it.

Solid day. Tracked everything, got in all of my requirements, and stayed within my points.

I can control my thoughts and my feelings. I choose to be happy.

Be positive people. Your thoughts and your feelings act as actions - remember that! Think positively, feel positively, and it will come back to you. Make good choices!

Day 754 - 30 Day Chip.

2011-12-30T08:46:00.003-05:00

Sorry for this post being late. You guys know I don't like not posting everyday. I got the last of my furniture delivered - 2 little end tables that I'm not sure really where to put in my living room. I can decide that later. No big deal.

I should've talked about this last week, but with the craziness of Christmas Eve (even though I'm not a Christmas person) and having company over, and settling into my new place, I just didn't have an opportunity.

Today I do. Because I took a rest day today and therefore don't have anything really exciting to talk about. Except for this. It's kind of a big deal.

Ever since I moved into my new place, well a week before that to be honest, I've noticed a change in me.

For the last 30+ days, I have not binged.

I have not self-medicated with food.

I have not wanted to overeat or gorge or binge at all.

I have earned my 30 Day Chip. Finally.

I have been more positive.

I have been open to a lot of different things. Things I stubbornly thought I could not achieve. Yes, love is one of those things. That hasn't happened yet, but I am more positive that it will. Because I deserve it. Because I know it will happen. (Must keep repeating that to myself.)

If you don't know what a 30 day chip is, check out Brad's website. Contact him on Twitter if you'd like to aim for one, or a 7 Day Chip, if you'd like.

This is huge for me. I mean, really REALLY huge. If you don't have a problem with food, God bless you. If you do, then you know how hard it is to not turn to food after an extremely trying and difficult time. But I've done it.

I have earned it. I deserve it.

I have to start practicing what I preach more, and I know that. I am trying. And I know I've taken some huge steps already. I'm happy about that - really happy.

I'm also a hair's breath from being back in One-Derland again. Soon. If not this coming WI, then next WI. And I'm ok with that. I will not get frustrated if I don't make it this week. I can't order my body to lose X amount of pounds in any given week. I will take pride in the progress I've made. I will be happy with the changes in my life so far.

It will happen. I deserve it. I am beautiful.

I am open to love and I deserve to be loved.

Solid day for me again. Tracked everything, stayed within my points, and got in all of my requirements.

I will remain positive and continue to project positive thoughts and feelings out into the Universe. Because I know it will come back to me. I know it it will, because I deserve it.

Remain positive people. Your thoughts and your feelings are your actions. If you truly believe it (whatever IT is,) it will happen. Make good choices!

Day 753.

2011-12-28T21:14:00.006-05:00

Super quick post because it's late & I'm tired.

One of my coworkers asked me to take her to pick up her car after work. Apparently, her brakes went out last night. Talk about scary.

Because I had to take my coworker to get her car after work, I went to my Mom's to use the treadmill. Did a quick 25 minutes and sweated like a pig. After work, I did a quick weights workout - The Firm Body Sculpt Blaster with Nancy Tucker. I burned 608 calories.

Solid day. Ate within my points, tracked everything, and got in all of my requirements. Solid.

I am open to love and I deserve to be loved.

Keep your minds and hearts open, people. Easier said than done, I know. Remember your thoughts are your actions, so believe in yourself, and be as positive as possible.

It will happen. It will happen. Because I deserve it. I deserve it.

Wrapping up now & going to bed. Make good choices!

Day 752.

2011-12-27T21:05:00.009-05:00

I rearranged my living room furniture today, but I'm not happy with it now. So tomorrow I will move it back. Exciting, I know.

I'm glad Christmas over, and I can't wait for this year to be over either. 2011 was a really big year for me, one filled with change and new things. And I just know that 2012 will be even better. Huge.

I'm going to hit goal next year. Just watch me do it. That's how confident I am.

Great things are going to start happening for me. I feel it. I know it. I believe it.

I tweeted some things today about a situation. I kind of regret it now, but it's too late to take it back. I probably shouldn't be, but I'm still hopeful about it for some reason. Guess that has to do with the whole being positive and thinking positively. Some of my bloggy peeps know what I'm talking about. Please don't discuss it here. I don't want to talk about it just yet. Sorry for the tease. But it's my blog, and I'll talk (or not talk) about whatever I want.

I worked out today. I started with 20 minutes on the inclined treadmill, then I did The Firm Total Muscle Shaping with Stephanie Huckabee. Some of the workout cast are scary skinny in this DVD. And Stephanie's boobs practically pop out of her sports bra. It's so obvious that she got implants. In earlier Firm DVDs, she's clearly flat as an ironing board. Whatever. Anywho, I burned 536 calories.

Solid day. Tracked everything, got in all of my requirements, and stayed within my points.

I am open to love and I deserve to be loved.

Think positively. Your thoughts are your actions, so visualize and feel what it is you want. And make good choices!

Day 751 - Happy Day Off.

2011-12-26T21:20:00.003-05:00

I don't want to go back to work tomorrow. I really don't. The good news is I only have to work tomorrow and Weds., and then I'm off until next year.

I went and got a haircut today because I really needed one. It felt like I had a dead cat on my head. It feels better now. =)

So let me tell you guys about my hardcore workout. I started with 22 minutes on the inclined treadmill, then I did The Firm Parts Standing Legs. I don't know when, but at some point, this workout became not as difficult to do as it used to be. But I finished it, and I think my lower body will be sore tomorrow. I burned 769 calories.

I had a great day today. I stayed within my points, got in all of my requirements, and tracked everything. I am going to end 2011 on a positive note, and begin 2012 even better. I am going to hit goal in 2012. I can just feel it. And my skin looks a lot clearer too. :)

I am open to love and I deserve to be loved. Great things are around the corner for me. I know it, I feel it, I believe it.

Wrapping up now. Think positively, people. Remember your thoughts are actions, so fill yourself up and think as positively as possible. And make good choices!

Day 750 - Visiting with my BFF!

2011-12-25T22:31:00.005-05:00

I was so tired this morning from yesterday that I actually slept in. Til noon. No wait, that's not entirely true. I did get up for like an hour around 9, putzed around, then gave up and went back to bed until about noon. I NEVER sleep in like that. I guess I must've been dead tired from yesterday. Then it was onto Wendy's for lunch.

It was fun. Hadn't seen her in forever. She & Carlton managed to find a diner that was open to order food from. That was my first meal of the day: scrambled eggs, Canadian bacon, an orange & whole wheat toast w/butter.

We talked, we caught up, we gossiped - great times. It was good to see her & Carlton.

Not much after that. I got home, cleaned up a little bit from last night. That was really about it.

I came in under my points again, tracked everything, and got in almost all of my requirements.

Rest day today. Back at it tomorrow.

I am open to love and I deserve to be loved.

Wrapping up now. Remember to be positive and think positively. Your thoughts are your actions, so think and visualize what you want to happen! And make good choices!

Day 749 - Xmas Eve at my House!

2011-12-25T08:28:00.004-05:00

Noche Buena was a huge success! Check out the spread I made, everything from scratch.

Lasagna, roasted cauliflower, and mixed green salad with a little red onion & feta cheese. The top layer of my lasagna I always make with fresh, smoked mozzarella cheese. Awesome.
Dessert was NY style cheesecake, again from scratch, topped with strawberries. I made my mother take the leftovers home. The salad and the cauliflower were the only things not left over, since everyone finished them. There was no way I was keeping that stuff in my house. I did cut off a small piece of lasagna for lunch later this week.

I worked out before everyone got here. I did 23 minutes on the inclined treadmill, followed by The Firm Parts: Upper Body. I burned 527 calories. See?
WI was also today. Down another 1.6 lbs, so I'm at 202.8 right now. Slowly inching back to One-Derland.

I partially tracked today, but I was so busy with cooking, cleaning & hosting duties I didn't have a chance to track everything. I know I went over my points, but it was a special occasion, so I'm not stressing about it. I was just excited to have people over my house for the first time. Even though I'm not Christmasy at all. :) I did get in all of my requirements though, so I'm happy with that.

I am open to love and I deserve to be loved.

Wrapping up now. Be positive and think positively. Remember your thoughts are your actions. Make good choices!

Day 748 - Last Chance Workout!

2011-12-23T23:09:00.003-05:00

It's late, I'm exhausted, and Christmas Eve is my holiday this year.

So I'll make this short & sweet.

I went to the store today and got everything that I needed for tomorrow. So we're good on that end.

I went to my mother's and made the famous NY style cheesecake from scratch. I'll post photos of it tomorrow.

But before all that, I got in a last chance workout. Hardcore. I started with 23 minutes on the inclined treadmill. Then I did The Firm Total Sculpt Plus Abs with Jen Carman, and I burned 772 calories. Check it out.

I almost see cheekbones again!

Solid day. Tracked everything, got in all of my requirements, and stayed within my points.

WI is tomorrow. I'm confident about it. I'm feeling really great since I moved in.

I am open to love and I deserve to be loved.

Wrapping up now. Be positive! Your thoughts are your actions, so feel and think positively. And make good choices!

Day 747 - Xmas Eve at my House?

2011-12-22T23:21:00.001-05:00

My mother calls me today and is like, your brother thinks it would be a great idea to have Noche Buena (Xmas Eve) at your place Saturday. What do you think?

Fuck me.

Seriously? You think maybe he would've called me like, oh I dunno, last week and suggested this.

Of course not. This is sooo typical of my family.

Now - don't get me wrong. I would love to have everyone over. But I've got nothing. I mean, nothing in my house right now remotely resembling Noche Buena-type things.

No lasagna pan for the lasagna we make every year for my Dad's birthday (his bday is on Christmas Eve too.)

No ingredients to make the excellent cheesecake either.

No sofas yet - they are arriving tomorrow. Thank God.

No kid-friendly snacks or crayons & coloring books for Sonia.

Not enough chairs for everyone. (I need to make a run to BBB also now.)

Yup. So the panic attack began.

And I start freaking out over Twitter. Luckily, Kenz sees my tweets and calls me & talks me down from the edge of sanity. Because when Mom called me, I was still in my sweaty workout clothes, hadn't even taken a shower yet, hadn't even eaten dinner yet - and the shaking began.

I love my family. I can't wait to see the kids Saturday. But throw me a bone & give me more than 2 days notice. K, thanks. That's all I'm asking. I was prepared to shower, dress, eat, & run out to the store tonight before Kenlie called me to calm the fuck down. Thank God. So the plan is to get up early, run to the store with my furiously written list in hand and get everything. Seriously.

Before all the madness, I actually got in a crazy hardcore workout. Which almost didn't happen because I was feeling down about something that I don't really want to talk about.

Cue Timmo. Super awesome, rock star, confused Mets fan Timmo.

Dude, thanks for talking to me on Facebook last night. You made my night so much easier! And I'm back to feeling positive about the whole situation. =)

I started on my brand new treadmill today. Pic of that to come tomorrow. For 23 minutes. Then I did my favorite all time Firm DVD - Ultimate Fat Burning Workout with Alison Davis. And I burned 648 calories.

I think I'm starting to get cheek bones again. And collar bones too!

Solid day. Tracked everything, stayed within my points, and got in all of my requirements. Awesome.

I am open to love and I deserve to be loved.

Wrapping up now because I'm exhausted. See what panic does to you?

Make good choices! And be positive. Your actions act as thoughts, so fill yourself up with as much love and positivity as possible. =)

Day 746 - My Xmas Tree!

2011-12-21T21:55:00.005-05:00

This is me, totally getting into the Christmas spirit. Check out my insanely awesome tree! It's the Charlie Brown Christmas tree. Love!

Kenz has already mentioned that the ornament should be on the end of the long branch, so I've already fixed it. K? =)

I got in a super awesome workout today. At lunchtime, I went to my mother's and did the inclined treadmill for 30 minutes. Then when I got home from work, I did The Firm Get Chisel'd with Rebekah Sturkie. I sweated like a pig and burned 608 calories. See?

Great day, again. Thank God. Tracked everything, got in all of my requirements, and stayed within my points. Solid.

My treadmill is being delivered tomorrow! I can't wait. They're going to assemble it for me and everything, which was an extra service that I had to pay extra for, but totally worth it. I'm taking a half day off from work to make sure I'm here when they arrive.

I am open to love and I deserve to be loved.

Wrapping up now. Make good choices! And remember your thoughts are your actions, so be positive!

Day 745 - Humidifier & Rest Day.

2011-12-20T21:35:00.007-05:00

I caved today and bought a humidifier finally. My hair is really curly, and since I've moved in, it's been straight. That's how dry it is in my place. So at lunchtime, I went to BedBath & Freakin' Beyond and got a humidifier for my bedroom. My throat has also been really dry in the mornings when i wake up, so hopefully this will help.

Rest day for me today.

As usual, I don't have anything much to talk about when I don't work out. Sorry.

Ooh, wait, I got a Christmas tree! Check it out!

It's still in the box. LOL. Tomorrow, I will be taking it out and setting it up. I promise Kenlie. K?

I am open to love and I deserve to be loved. Your thoughts are your actions. So be positive.

Good day. Tracked everything, got in all of my requirements, and stayed within my points. Solid day.

Wrapping up now. Make good choices! And remain positive!

Day 744 - Half Day.

2011-12-19T21:12:00.006-05:00

I decided to take the morning off from work today. Why? Because I really needed to fix my Polar HRM. There's a service center here on Long Island that's in the next town next to me. If you drop it off between 9-11 AM, they will have it ready for you in an hour. So that's what I did.

Yeah, my HRM is THAT important to me.

So while it was getting serviced, I went to the grocery store real quick and stopped by Bed Bath & Beyond too. I still need to get some more things for my place.

Ooh - and I'll have the last of my furniture by December 29! I'm so excited! My treadmill will come this week too - either Thursday or Friday. That was my Christmas present to myself. And my couches will be here Friday. Can't wait!

When I came home, I worked out like a maniac. I went out for a 20 minute jog/power walk that included steep hills around my neighborhood. I was huffing & puffing. And when I got home, I decided to do No More Trouble Zones with Jillian Michaels. Another sculpting workout. Umm, this DVD is fucking hard!! Sweet Jesus - I thought I wouldn't be able to finish it. But I did it. And the sections that I couldn't do, like the ab section - I decided to just do other sculpting moves - like upright rows & squats. In the end, I burned 784 calories.

Yeah, smiling like a fool. My shoulders, glutes and thighs were on fire! I was feeling sore right away. I love that feeling, I really do.

I am open to love and I deserve to be loved.

Solid day today. Tracked everything, stayed within my points, and got in all of my requirements. Solid.

I have to get going since I need to get my lunch ready for tomorrow.

Your thoughts are your actions. So be positive.

Make good choices!

Day 743 - Staying positive.

2011-12-18T20:52:00.003-05:00

I've been feeling really positive lately. Yes, The Secret again. But it makes sense, if you think about it. You have to be a positive person in order to attract positive things - and people - into your life. If you want something, you have to THINK that you already have it, whatever it is. We all want that. I know I do.

Which is why I'm being positive. And I have to say, it's not a struggle. I have not been struggling with thinking positively or just being positive in general. And I have to say - it's been great! I need that right now in my life. I really do.

Today was another whirlwind day. We were going to my brother's house to see those beautiful kids, so I had to get going on my workout. I ran outside in the freezing cold again for about 15 minutes. When I came back home, I did The Firm Maximum Body Shaping with Tracie Long. Another sculpting workout. I love sculpting, I really do. You wouldn't know it by looking at me, but I do love it. It makes me feel so strong. And I want those Linda Hamilton arms! When the DVD ended, I continued to do another 10-15 minutes of sculpting to add to my calorie burn. I wound up burning 729 calories. See?

Marcus is so adorable. He's still really pink, but he's great. He's 8 days old now. And Sonia - God, I love that kid! She's at the age where she's starting to love me, I hope. I played with her, tickled her, and then fed the baby.

We ordered take out for lunch. We ate lunch pretty late, close to 3 PM. I had sesame chicken with brown rice and broccoli. I ate about 6 pieces of chicken, all the broccoli, and about a half cup of brown rice. I was so full, I couldn't even finish! Then for dinner, if you can even call it that, I was still full from lunch, so I just had my green monster smoothie. I put two teaspoons of olive oil in it. And called it a day.

I finished the day really well. Solid. I stayed within my points, got in all of my requirements, and tracked everything.

I am open to love and I deserve to be loved. Your thoughts act as actions. Be positive.

Make good choices people!

Day 742 - WI Results.

2011-12-17T21:13:00.004-05:00

Last week, I weighed in at 208.2 lbs. The week before that, I weighed in 212 lbs.

Today, I weighed in at 204.4 lbs. That's a loss of 3.8 lbs. Which is pretty awesome. Less than 5 pounds away from One-Derland. Again. Apparently, moving into a new place on my own agrees with me. =)

I will hit One-Derland in a few weeks. I know I will. And once I get there, I will never leave. NEVER AGAIN.

After WI, I came home and got my workout in. Because I don't have my treadmill yet, I decided to improvise my usual warm up. I got dressed, I jogged outside for 13 minutes. I literally ran over to the next county & back. I have to say, it felt really good! I was sweating when I walked back in, I did another sculpting Firm DVD - Super Sculpting. One of the older ones, with the leotards and the fluffy white socks worn over panty hose. I never understood that. I burned 748 calories.

I still need to get a lot of stuff for my place. I want a full length mirror in my bedroom, I need to put up photos, I want to get nice curtains for my living room, and area rugs for my living room and bedroom. I'm thinking of getting the rugs tomorrow, then get the other stuff piece meal. We'll see.

Great day for me. Another solid one in the books. Tracked everything, got in all of my requirements, and stayed within my points.

I am so excited for 2012. Hell, I'm excited for the next few weeks. Not because of the holidays, because I can't stand Christmas. My place is coming together, I'm on my own, my living room furniture will be here Friday, and it's starting to finally feel like a home. My home.

Big changes and lots of great things are coming my way. I believe that. I am open to love and I deserve to be loved. It's going to happen. I know it is. I can feel it is. I believe it is.

I'm going to hit goal in 2012. I know it. I can feel it. I believe it.

Did some Cinderella duties today, like cleaning & vacuuming, so I'm tired. Wrapping up now. Make good choices. And remember, your thoughts are your actions!

Day 741 - Last Chance Workout!

2011-12-16T22:48:00.003-05:00

Sorry for being so cryptic in my last post. I know, Floriana, I suck at life, what can I say? LOL. I've gotten or gained more confidence lately, maybe since I moved into my place, and I'm just letting it flow right now. I took a risk, we'll see what happens. If nothing happens, shrug. No worries. At least I took a risk, and life's not worth living if you don't take a chance every once in a while. Right? =)

Tomorrow is WI, so I knew I had to get in a killer, last chance workout. Speaking of WI, I need to start posting about those again, good & bad. I'm going to post my stats again. The reason why I haven't lately is because I was struggling with gaining & losing the same damn 10 lbs. Now though, it's different. I can just feel it. I just know it. I'm still a few irritating pounds away from One-Derland, but I'm inching closer. And I'm going to break through again. Soon. And when I do, I won't be leaving again!

At lunch time, I went to my Mom's house and got in a quick 25 minutes on the inclined treadmill. Then after work, I decided to do The Firm Total Body Toner with Allie del Rio. In total, I burned 627 calories. I was pouring sweat, especially here in my house, because they blast the heat in here. It feels like it's 85 degrees and sunny skies in here.

Another awesome day in the books. Tracked everything, got in all of my requirements, and stayed within my points. Solid.

I'm changing, in every way possible. Mind, body & spirit. I'm thinking more positively now, and more clearer, which is really very important. I'm also feeling good in general. When I feel good, I feel better, and I make better choices.

2012 is going to be my year. I will NOT be at the same weight 6 months from now. =)

I'm going to wrap up right now before I ramble on any further. Make good choices. And take risks people! Because you never know! :)

Day 740 - Took a Risk & DVD player success!

2011-12-15T21:30:00.002-05:00

I took a risk today! And I'm very confident that it will turn out in my favor. :) Sorry I'm being so cryptic about it, but I'm superstitious, and I don't want to jinx it! The few bloggy peeps I've told - thanks for listening to me and for wishing me good luck!

Oh, and I finally was able to connect my DVD player today! At lunch, I went to the electronics store real quick and picked up the cables that I needed. And when I got home from work, I connected everything and it worked! Score! Which means tomorrow, I will be doing my first Firm workout in my home. Love that. =) Major win.

I'm hoping my treadmill arrives before the end of the year. I decided to pay extra to have the company assemble it for me. The treadmill that's at my mother's house I assembled myself, and I remember it took me forever, and it didn't come out well.

I took a rest day today. As usual, I don't have much to talk about when that happens.

Solid day today. I ate within my points, tracked everything, and got in all of my requirements. Awesomeness.

I'm tired, so I'm heading to bed soon. Make good choices - and take risks!

Day 739 - Reading The Secret again.

2011-12-14T21:24:00.006-05:00

I brought my copy of The Secret from my Mom's house today. I want to re-read it. I'll probably read a few pages tonight before I go to bed. If you've never read it, you should! It really is a good book. I've been trying to use The Secret recently, because I'm at a point in my life where I want to see what else is there. . . . like, I want more. Does that make sense? And I want to know how to get what I want. Especially now that I actually know what I want.

I want to experience new things.

I want to fall in love.

I want to meet a kind, loving man who will love me back.

I want to get married and have a family.

I am open to love and I deserve to be loved.

It's going to happen. Soon. I can just feel it. I have to believe that. And I do believe that. You attract what you think. (That's The Secret. The power of attraction.)

Sorry for getting deep. =)

I opted to forgo the inclined treadmill at lunch today. I'm ok with that. When I got home, I did a sculpting/cardio workout for 35 minutes. I burned 239 calories.

I bought a treadmill today. I've decided that I need one in my home.

I tried to connect my DVD/VCR player to my TV & cable box today, and I need to get more cables. Because the DVD player didn't come with the sufficient amount needed. SonOfABitch. I'll have to get that tomorrow, and then hopefully, it will be all hooked up.

Good day today. Solid. Tracked everything, got in all of my requirements, and stayed within my points.

Love is coming my way soon. I am ready.

Wrapping up now. Make good choices people. And remember your thoughts act as attraction!

Day 738 - Better Day Emotionally!

2011-12-13T21:23:00.003-05:00

I woke up this morning feeling so much better. I wish I could say it was because of a good night's sleep, but it wasn't. I think I slept on and off. But at least I did sleep, so I'm not complaining. Kenlie talking me down helped so much. I am so grateful for that girl!

Thank you for your sweet comments about my nephew and my post yesterday. Marcus is perfect, thank God. And love is coming my way soon. I am open to love. I deserve to be loved. That is my new mantra now.

I got in a great workout today. (I told you I was feeling better.) I did a quick 25 minutes on the inclined treadmill at lunch. Then I did a 30 minute sculpting workout. I burned 481 calories total.

I had a good day. Stayed within my points, got in all of my requirements, and tracked everything. Solid day.

I'm going to watch Teen Mom 2 then call it a night. I'm exhausted. Good choices!

Day 737 - Feeling Lonely, and I am Open.

2011-12-12T21:19:00.002-05:00

I spent another sleepless night last night. I know I have to get used to my different surroundings. I can't let things like the guy upstairs watching TV til 3 AM bother me. I have to get used to it. Some things are just out of my control and I have to suck it up. Because that is part of apartment living and being an adult. Right Kenlie? =)

Kenlie talked me down because I was feeling very frustrated at my lack of sleep. Thanks so much, girl. You don't know this, but I was on the verge of tears. (I am an adult, I swear.)

After our chat, I started repeating to myself: "I am open to love. I deserve to be loved." I'm feeling lonely. I admit it. Especially now since I'm living on my own. Don't get me wrong - I love that I have my own place and that I'm not paying someone else the privilege of living in their house or in their building. It's just proving to be a harder adjustment than I had anticipated. I'll be fine though.

There is someone that I am crushing on. I haven't talked about it on here because I'm not ready to share it yet. And I'm superstitious. I can't help it. Also, the situation is a little unorthodox. The few friends I have told about this are convinced that there is real potential there. I don't want to get my hopes up because I don't want to make a big deal about it yet. I don't want to build it up in my head only to be majorly disappointed later. But I am open to love. I deserve to be loved. I believe that. If I don't believe it, then no one else will. Love will come my way soon. I can feel it. :)

I went to my Mom's at lunch time to use the treadmill. I did 25 minutes on the inclined treadmill. After work, I came home and did 30 minutes of sculpting on my own. I'm using a new HRM that I haven't quite gotten the hang of yet. I was able to see how many calories I burned on the treadmill (237 calories), but I was unable to see how many I burned during my sculpting workout. I'm going to put my guess at around 450ish calories burned total.

That's the first sweaty pic in my new place! I am trying to look excited about it here. LOL.

I am open to love. I deserve to be loved by a wonderful, kind man.

Good eating day for me. I didn't have much of an appetite (due to lack of sleep, maybe?) and I stayed within my points. Got in all of my requirements, and tracked everything.

I hope to get some sleep tonight. I'm really tired.

Wrapping up now. Those of you who live alone in a building - how did you handle the new adjustments? Let me know please. Any helpful tips will be much appreciated!

Thanks for reading. Make good choices!

Day 736 - Meet My Nephew!

2011-12-11T21:22:00.006-05:00

Meet my nephew, Marcus David! 9 pounds, 12 ounces.

Love, love, love. My sister-in-law doesn't want me posting these photos on Facebook, so I can only post them here.

After we took photos, the baby pooped! I went into the bathroom to wet the dry wipe the hospital provided, then when I went to hand it to my brother, he looked at me and said:

"What are you handing me that for? You're not just going to take pictures and not help!, Tia"

That's my brother for ya. I wiped the baby's bottom. Hehehe. His poopy was smelly. =)

But before we went up to Westchester, I got in a workout. I did 45 minutes on the inclined treadmill. I burned 561 calories.
I sweated my butt off.

I had to buy a new DVD/VCR combo player because my old one just broke down. And apparently, when you buy the damn thing, it doesn't come with all the necessary wires and cables you need to connect it to your cable box and TV. So tomorrow I have to go buy one, then connect it. And then I'll be able to go back to doing my Firm workouts.

Good day overall. I stayed within my points, tracked everything, and fell short of my whole grains requirement by just a little. I'm ok with that though.

I'm going to bed soon. Earplugs are on my nightstand, ready for use. =)

Thanks for reading. Make good choices!

Day 735 - All done! & The Douchebag Upstairs.

2011-12-10T21:05:00.003-05:00

I'm done moving! Thank God.

Last night, I was in bed by 10 but I couldn't fall asleep.

Around 2 AM, the guy that lives above me came home. He proceeded to walk back and forth, just making noise, til 4 AM.

You gotta be kidding me. Douchebag.

I was exhausted, still am. I took a 40 minute nap earlier, and that has helped a little.

I mean, I know it's the weekend and all, but damn. Sigh. I know I have to readjust to no longer living in a house. It's a building, this is what happens. So I'll do what anyone would do: I'll take my earplugs and my Tylenol PM and call it a day. Or a night.

Mom took me grocery shopping since I had absolutely nothing in the house. So cute.

Then, we went back to her house, and my brother called. Marcus David was born this afternoon, and he weighed in at 9 lbs. 12 ounces. Big kid! We're going to the hospital tomorrow in Westchester. I can't wait! We're going to leave early, so I'm sleeping at my parents tonight.

Ate well today. Got in all of my requirements, tracked everything and stayed within my points.

No workout because I'm exhausted. Back tomorrow, I promise.

That's all for now. Sleepy time. =)

Day 734 - Moving, Part 2.

2011-12-09T20:06:00.002-05:00

I am so freaking tired. My back is killing me.

I will make this super short because I'm going to bed early.

I've moved the majority of my stuff today. The rest I will do tomorrow and be done with it.

I worked out in the morning before all the craziness. I did 41 minutes on the inclined treadmill. I burned 476 calories. See?

I barely ate today. And for dinner, all I had was my green monster smoothie, to I made sure to get my fruit& veggies in. I mixed in 2 teaspoons of good quality olive oil, to get my oil requirement in.

I am so exhausted, I have to cut this short. I did well today though.

More tomorrow.

Day 733 - Moving, Part I.

2011-12-08T20:54:00.005-05:00

Have you ever been so tired that you're not even hungry even though it's been hours since your last meal?

Yup, that's how I'm feeling right now.

I started the day crazy early. There were a lot of appointments to get to today. Delivery, cable, phone, internet, electricity & gas. I still hadn't picked up my TV yet, so I was up and at Walmart before 9 AM. I bought it online and picked it up at the store. I went with the Vizio 47 inch LCD flat screen. Check it out! I love it!

The guy who came to turn on the gas & electricity was so sweet. I asked him if he could help me get my TV out of my car, and he said, yes, of course. I tried to tip him, but he declined. I guess he took pity on me because I'm a girl. =) Working the girl card works! (What? There was NO way I was getting that thing out of my car myself. It weighed a ton.)

Here's a photo of some of my bedroom furniture. My dresser with the mirror, and the chest. I love it. Love my furniture!
I'll post photos of my bed and my night table tomorrow, I promise.

It was a rest day for me, but it certainly didn't feel like one, with all the running around I did.

I'm soo freaking tired. Moving is exhausting. For reals. And I'm not even done yet! I still have to scrub my fridge from top to bottom, I want to line my kitchen cabinets and my drawers, including the insides of my bedroom furniture, and clean my stove top and oven. Oh, and I need to go to the grocery store because I have zero food in the house. No es bueno.

Good day. Tracked everything, stayed within my points, and got in all of my requirements. Solid.

I can feel good things are coming my way. =)

I'm going to brush my teeth, wash my face, and crash, I'm so tired. Make good choices people!

Day 732 - Feeling in the Zone.

2011-12-07T20:20:00.006-05:00

Although this week has been super busy for me, I've been totally rocking it.

I am in the zone, people.

I thought I would be more stressed out about the move, but now that it's here, I'm ok about it. Weird. I really thought I would be freaking out right now. Hmmm. Isn't that something how that works? Guess that's all part of feeling in the zone. It's pretty awesome.

Still focusing on the sculpting this month. I started my workout with 16 minutes on the inclined treadmill, then I did The Firm Body Sculpt with Jen Carman. It had been a while since I had done this particular DVD. Jen is not one of my favorite Firm Master Instructors. She's a little too perky for my taste. And I really did NOT want to work out today. Because it's been raining since last night. Absolutely miserable weather. But I sucked it up and did it anyway, burning 611 calories. See?

I had a really good day today. I tracked everything, ate within my points, and got in all of my requirements. Major win.

Mom had a stress test today, and the doctor said she did well. She went into a-fib for a bit, but her heart rate stabilized. He said that was normal though, so I'm not worried about it too much. They took pictures of her heart to see if there are any clogged arteries (no me gusta), and they will be calling later this week.

I can just feel that great things are in store for me. They are around the corner. I can't explain it. Well actually, I can explain it, but I'm not ready to talk about it or share it just yet. Call me superstitious. So, fingers crossed. =)

Wrapping up now. Thanks for reading. Good choices!

Day 731 - Bob's Aggravation!

2011-12-06T19:39:00.005-05:00

I'm going to tell you about my day as it happened chronologically.

After coffee, I put on the workout gear and got to it. I started with 20 minutes on the inclined treadmill, then I did The Firm Parts: Upper Body Split. I hadn't done this DVD in a while, and now I remember why - I don't really like it. I forgot that it's not strictly upper body sculpting. They throw in a lot of ab work sporadically, which I found very strange. And there's cardio too, which I was not too thrilled about. So when those weird segments came on, I just did my own upper body sculpting moves. Upright rows, lat rows, hammer curls, pec flies, and delt flies. I burned 677 calories.

My eyes look a little too crazy here for my taste. Oh dear.

After my shower & breakfast, I had to rush to meet the furniture delivery men from Bob's Furniture. Guess what happened?

THEY WENT TO MY PARENT'S HOUSE! They got the goddamn address wrong.

Oh, I was pissed. I mean, I was fuming. I told the people at the store like 5 times I was moving. Seriously? So when they showed up at my parent's house, my mother called me, and I spoke to the deliveryman, and he said I would need to come into the store and fix the address. Then the delivery would be rescheduled for another day.

Yeah, that was not gonna happen.

I called the store, told them what happened, and told them that if I had to jackass out to the store, I would stir up a reign of shit the likes of which they had never seen before. Oh, I let them have it. They apologized, and said they were going to see what they could do. After I threatened to cancel my order.

An hour later, they showed up.

See how that worked?

On a lighter note, I love my furniture! I wanted to take photos, but the lighting is still kinda bad. I need to buy more little table lamps. I promise I will take photos.

Great day for me today, in spite of the aggravation. I ate well, tracked everything, and stayed within my points.

Tomorrow, I'm buying my TV & mattress pad, then Mom has a stress test appointment in the afternoon. Fingers crossed.

Sons of Anarchy & Teen Mom 2 later tonight. I can't wait! Teen Mom 2 will have to be DVR'ed, since there is NO way I'm going to not see that in real time.

(Yes, I watch Teen Mom & Teen Mom 2. I have guilty pleasures like everyone else. So don't judge. K, thanks.)

Gonna wrap up now. Good choices!

Day 730 - That Was Tough!

2011-12-05T20:05:00.009-05:00

I'm feeling in the zone this week. I can't explain it. Maybe I'm excited about the move? Maybe I'm glad I took this week off work? I guess the reason doesn't matter, the important thing is I'm feeling good. And that's always a great thing.

I got my workout done in the morning and out of the way. That felt good. I started with 20 minutes on the inclined treadmill, then I did The Firm Parts Standing Legs. I hesitated about doing this particular workout because my entire lower body always feels like jelly afterwards. But I did it today, and I'm glad I did. Everytime I do this DVD, I always let out a "That was tough!" which is what the instructor says after the final segment, which is a set of 6-count hover squats with heavy weights. I burned 801 calories. See?

You can't tell in this pic, but my sports bra is completely soaked through with sweat. I'm determined to complete only sculpting workouts this month.

Afterwards, I went to Sleepy's to get the damn bed frame (don't ask), then onto Bed Bath & Beyond, then Target, then back home to grab lunch, then onto my place to drop stuff off.

Busy day. But a good day. My sink is now completely installed, and I'm moving stuff over. The bed frame, my table & chairs, my bedroom furniture and coffee tables will all be delivered tomorrow. Thursday, my TV console/table will be delivered. And I still don't have a TV yet.

Peeps - which is a good brand - Sharp, Samsung or Vizio? I want to get a 47 inch LCD HD TV. So let me know.

My eating was spot on today, I tracked everything, and I got in all of my requirements.

I got hit with a surge of energy right before dinner. I needed to go through old clothes and get rid of them. I filled 4 Hefty garbage bags to the brim with old clothes that I'm going to donate tomorrow. And I'm still not done! I have more to go through, and shoes too. Jesus Christ - where the hell did I get all this crap? I have to say though - it felt really good to get rid of it. Clothes in a range of different sizes. Skinny clothes, fat clothes. Sigh. I've decided to keep 2 pairs of my fat pants as a reminder as to where I never want to go again. I think it's a good idea to remember where I've been, but more importantly - where I am going.

Never again.

Wrapping up now. Thanks for reading - make good choices!

Day 729.

2011-12-04T21:39:00.003-05:00

I got my bed delivered today, which was great. Wanna know what was not so great? I forgot to buy the damn bed frame! Holy hell - I couldn't believe it. So now I have to jackass back to Sleepy's & buy the damn thing tomorrow. I can't have my brand new bed just sitting on the floor like that, after all. I felt like such an idiot. Argh. This would happen to only me, I'm telling ya.

So I started the day early. For me, anyway. For a Sunday. I knew I had to meet the delivery men, but the time window I was given meant that I couldn't waste any time. So at an obnoxiously early hour (for me) I began my workout. I started with 20 minutes on the inclined treadmill. Then I did The Firm Total Body Shaping Mix. This is a compilation of old Firm workouts, with different Master Instructors. It keeps in line with my sculpting focus this month. And it's a tough tape, too. I burned 789 calories. I was no joke this morning, yo.

Pouring sweat like nobody's business.

I've thought about purchasing my own treadmill for my new place. Right now, I don't think I'm going to. Eventually, I will though. It's just not within my budget right now. Maybe in a few months. There are other ways to warm up, and I do have lots of other equipment, so I'm not going to worry about it right this second.

Good day, in spite of the no-bed-frame incident. I'll be rectifying that tomorrow first thing. I tracked everything, stayed within my points and got in all of my requirements.

Weds. will be the day to really get my stuff in my new place and unpack everything. Thursday I'm getting my cable/internet/phone installed. I think Friday night will be the first night I spend in my new place. Gulp.

Ok, wrapping up now. Thanks for reading. Good choices!

Day 728 - Sonia's Birthday party.

2011-12-03T21:25:00.002-05:00

People - it's been a long day, so this will be a quick post.

I've been up & running since I got out of bed this morning. I went to the grocery store, came home, had breakfast, showered & was heading out again right after that. Mom decided that before we went to the party, she wanted to get a mani/pedi. I dropped her off at the nail place, then I went down the street to Sleepy's and bought my bed. It's being delivered tomorrow. Then I drove to Jennifer Convertibles and picked out and bought my living room furniture. The bad news is that it won't be available for delivery until January 6! Fuck me. But I really liked it. The rest of my furniture is being delivered this week. So I figure I can stick out for a few weeks (a month technically) and just suck it up. I'll have everything else except that. Oh well.

After that, I had to swing by the Persian restaurant and pick up the food that my brother had ordered for the party. The restaurant is across the street from the nail place, so after that I picked her up and then we headed home.

Before we left for the party, I made sure to have most of my fruit & veggies servings. I made my green monster smoothie and added two teaspoons of safflower oil to it. I chugged a ton of water, and then we headed out to the party.

It was good - very low key. Just the immediate family. Sonia had fun - freaking love that kid. When we were leaving, I told her that Abuelita & I were going. She looked at me, and said: "No, Kelly no se vaya." (Kelly, don't leave!) Totally tugging at my heart! How adorable was that? I gave her a big hug & and a kiss before we left.

Sorry I don't have photos - she was very camera shy today for some reason. And the photos I did take were all blurry. I'll see if my brother emails me any of his photos, and I'll post them.

I ate well today. I had 2 bites of the strawberry shortcake (I didn't think it was very good), some salad, some roast beef, & rice. When we got home, I decided the kitchen was closed. I just chugged more water, which means I'll be peeing all night.

Ok - really tired now. Nite people! Make good choices!

Day 727.

2011-12-02T22:21:00.002-05:00

This is going to be a quick post because I'm super tired.

I was so busy at work today I barely had time post Twitter updates! I'm not kidding. LOL. Since I'm off next week, I had to make sure that I tied up any and all loose ends. So I was a busy little bee.

At lunch time, I came home and did a quick 23 minutes on the inclined treadmill. I burned 241 calories. Sorry no sweaty pic. The plan was to get home after work and do some kind of weights workout, but I was so tired I opted not to.

I'm ok with that. I did workout on the treadmill, so it's not like I did absolutely nothing.

I ate very well today. Stayed within my points, got in all of my requirements, and tracked everything.

Sonia Begonia's party is tomorrow. It's going to be a long day because I'm going to Sleepy's in the morning to buy my bed, then I have to pick up some party food. Then the 45 minute drive to Westchester.

Wrapping up now. Thanks for reading. Make good choices!

Day 726 - I want Linda Hamilton arms!

2011-12-01T21:35:00.004-05:00

Don't ask me why I started thinking about Linda Hamilton today. I honestly can't tell you. Maybe I'm just sick of having flabby wingbats. Maybe I'd like to be toned. (That's probably what it is.)

Clearly, she is not the only woman ever to have such super awesome, well defined, don't-fuck-with-me arms. (Angela Basset.)

But she's definitely the one who totally kicked the most serious ass. Ever.

I want her arms. I want Linda Hamilton arms.

I mean, who wouldn't want these arms? That terminator never stood a chance!

Chubby - this is absolutely the LAST EVER HOLIDAY SEASON WE WILL BE FAT! With me on this? K,thanks. =)

So with that in mind, I came home and did a quick 23 minutes on the inclined treadmill. Then I did another Firm sculpting DVD - Total Muscle Shaping with Stephanie Huckabee. I burned 533 calories. See?
Pouring sweat. And as you can see, I am very, very far having Linda Hamilton arms just yet. I don't know when I'll get them (if ever), but I can tell you I will do everything I can!

Another solid day behind me. Ate well, tracked everything and got in all of my requirements.

Wrapping up now. Thanks for reading. Make good choices!

Day 725 - Furniture Shopping.

2011-11-30T20:11:00.004-05:00

The plan for today was to hit Bob's for my bedroom furniture, my dining table & chairs, and my coffee & end tables. Then I was going to scoot on over to Jennifer Convertibles to pick out my sofa and loveseat, then onto Sleepy's to buy my new bed. I went to Bob's, and was about to head to Jennifer when I got a phone call from my plumber. He was coming over to my place to install my new kitchen sink & faucet, and I had to leave to meet him there. Plan aborted.

The good news is there's a Sleepy's down the street from my firm, so I could go there after work either tomorrow night, Friday night or even Saturday morning before Sonia's party. Jennifer Convertibles I will have to do Sunday. Or Saturday morning, depending on when I buy my bed. And then my furniture shopping is done. But at least I got something accomplished today.

I worked out in the morning before I left. Good thing I did or I wouldn't have worked out at all! I started with 20 minutes on the inclined treadmill, then I did The Firm 3-in-1 Bootcamp Mix Part 2. Lots of heavy sculpting in this one. I burned 643 calories.

You can't really tell, but my sports bra was totally soaked through!

Sons of Anarchy - I watched it last night. Did you? What did you guys think? Why isn't Clay dead yet? Why did Tara keep commanding people to tell her they loved her. Why would they kill Clay with a blood thinner when that is sooooo not the SAMCRO way? Why wasn't Opie more involved in this episode? For fuck's sake - why isn't Clay dead yet?

Where is my vagina? (Sorry Draz, couldn't resist.) =)

Anywho, I guess they'll drag Jax killing Clay until next season.

Good day for me. Ate well, tracked everything, and stayed within my points. Major win.

Need to sleep now because I am tired. Make good choices!

Day 724.

2011-11-29T19:38:00.005-05:00

How is it possible to still be sore from the 5K on Thanksgiving? My glutes and thighs are still feeling it. Well, I guess that's a good thing. So I'm not complaining.

Anywho, thank you all for your lovely comments on my kitchen! You guys are so sweet, really! The well wishes are greatly appreciated, believe me. =)

I've decided to rev up my workouts this month. This month, I'm going to focus more on sculpting. At lunchtime, I came home and did a quick 25 minutes on the inclined treadmill. Then after work, I did The Firm 3-in-1 Bootcamp Mix, Part 1. Lots of sculpting in this one. It's a compilation of the old Mansion-style Firm workouts. I burned 607 calories. See?

Whoa. I look really tired in this pic, don't I? I mean, I was pouring sweat like a pig, but I look sleepy tired. I did get up at 5 AM and was wide awake, so that explains it, I guess.

Good day for me. Tracked everything, got in all of my requirements, and stayed within my points. So major win right there.

I'm debating about buying a treadmill for my new place for when I move. The treadmill I have now is so old, and so worn that I will not be taking it with me. It's destined for the trash pile now. It's something to think about. We'll see.

Sons of Anarchy later tonight. I can't wait! Part 1 of the season finale airs tonight. Please let Clay be dead. Please let Clay be dead.

I was soooooo happy to see that Sophia finally died on Walking Dead! That whole storyline thoroughly annoyed me, and Sunday night's episode was the first real good episode all season. For realsies.

Wrapping up now. Thanks for reading. Make good choices!

Day 723 - Granite Countertops!

2011-11-28T20:40:00.008-05:00

BEFORE

BEFORE.
AND AFTER.
AFTER.
Doesn't my kitchen look sooooo much better now? I swear to God, this was where the color yellow came to die. How great do the granite countertops look? I love it!

The black and white checker board tiles are gone. Long gone. And they are never coming back.

I'm taking next week off to move. So I'll be busy, but I promise I will make time to work out and blog. I didn't make time to work out today, and I should've. Crap.

My eating was good today though. Tracked everything, and got in all of my requirements.

(How horrible was that cupcake sign in the kitchen?) Seriously. How tacky.

Draz - I do not want a 60 inch flat screen. What would I do with 60 inches? Hmm. I have a dirty mind. Let's try this again. =)

I'm thinking of getting a 42 or 46' TV. Either Sharp or Samsung. But I can't make up my mind.

I've had a nervous tick in my right eyebrow all day long. I'm having it now as we speak. WTF?

Sorry for the stream of consciousness writing. I'm gonna wrap up now. Make good choices!

Day 722.

2011-11-27T19:54:00.005-05:00

This coming week is going to be super busy for me. Tomorrow afternoon, my granite countertops are finally getting installed, as is my brand new stainless steel kitchen sink. I think what I'll do is go and buy my brand new bed after that's all done, and arrange to get it delivered on Wed., since I'll be taking that entire day off from work.

Weds. I want to go furniture shopping. I may even get a haircut, if I have time. Then next week, I'm going to take off from work to move and have everything delivered and get my cable & internet installed. Which reminds me: I need to buy a new flat screen TV. Putting that on my list.

This week, I've decided to focus on heavy strength training/sculpting. Today, I started with 22 minutes on the inclined treadmill, then I did The Firm Tough Tape with Tracie Long. Lots of leg presses and squats in this DVD. My entire upper body is sore from yesterday's upper body workout. Love that feeling. I sweated like a pig and burned 692 calories. See?

I worked my ass off. My sports bra was soaked through, which you can't really see in this pick because it's black.

I tracked everything, got in all of my requirements, and stayed within my points. Solid day.

So it's going to be a busy 2 weeks for me, but I'm looking forward to it.

Thanks for reading. Make good choices!

Day 721.

2011-11-26T19:54:00.004-05:00

I woke up this morning and was still pretty sore from the 5K on Thursday. But I like that feeling. It tells me I've pushed myself.

It was a busy day for me from the beginning. I went to Home Depot, then onto BJs (the whole sale place a la Costco, you dirty minded people!), then Mom & I went to my apartment to do a little light cleaning. I had to vacuum the living room, the kitchen, the little hallway, and my bedroom. Mom wanted to mop the floors. It looks so good - almost done!

Anywho, for my workout today, I decided to really focus on upper body since my lower body is still pretty sore. I started with 11 minutes on the inclined treadmill to warm up, then I did The Firm Parts Upper Body. I added in a few extra minutes of hammer curls, delt flys & military presses. I burned 373 calories.

Not an intense calorie burn, but I was satisfied with my workout.

I went over my points by 3 today, but not stressing out about it. I still tracked everything, and got in all of my requirements.

Yawn. Need to wrap up now, getting tired. Thanks for reading. Make good choices~ !

Day 720.

2011-11-25T22:12:00.002-05:00

I briefly thought about braving the Black Friday shopping madness today. Briefly. Then I heard about a woman pepper spraying people when they wanted to buy what she wanted to buy, and that put that thought right out of my head.

Anywho, I had the eye doctor appointment this morning. The one to find out what those white spots in my retinas are. Let me tell you. It was something else.

First, I'm fine. The white spots aren't anything to be concerned about. It's just a build up of something that starts with an r. I want to say it's restalin, (or maybe it was resalin) but I don't think that's even a word.

But you know what got me really aggravated? The fact that this appointment would last at least 2-3 hours. And that I should've brought someone with me to drive me back home. Because they had to dilate my eyes with these special drops. And then they had to take photos of my eyes with this special machine. I let them have it. Believe me. I was so fucking pissed.

One of the nurses apologized to me, she said that I should've been told to expect to wait when I made the appointment. I left before they could take the final photos, that's how I pissed I was. Boneheaded move on my part, I know, but my anger wouldn't let me stay at that doctor's office any longer. My appointment was for 9 AM. I didn't storm out til it was close to noon. Yup.

My entire body is still sore from the 5K yesterday. So today I decided to give my body a break. Thighs, glutes, abs, and even my arms feel sore.

I did well with my eating today. Went over my points by 2, but I'm not stressing about it. Tracked everything, got in all of my requirements and I'm happy with that.

I went by my place today, and the contractor had cleared all of the crap out. Thank God. He still needs to connect my oven to the gas pipe & plug it back in. He's going to do that Sunday and then his job is done.

So that was my day. Never a dull moment, always an adventure, I tell ya!

Thanks for reading. Make good choices!

Day 719 - Turkey Trot 5K & Thanksgiving.

2011-11-24T21:04:00.005-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving peeps!

I woke up this morning knowing I had a lot to do and not wanting to do any of it. I even briefly thought of skipping the 5K, but I knew I would regret it. So I got up, got ready and went.

The race started about 10 minutes late. I ran the first half of it, then took an 8 minute walking break. That's how I knew how out of shape I really am. At last year's Turkey Trot, I ran the entire 5K no problem. After the walking break, I resumed running the rest of the race until the very end. My time was 38 minutes, 53 seconds. Last year I finished in a little more than 34 minutes. Oh well.

I'm not thrilled with how I look here. My hips & thighs are just huge. Speaking of which, my hips & thighs are incredibly sore right now.

After I crossed the finish line, I stopped running, slowed to a walk, and puked in my mouth. I've never ever puked after a race in my whole life! I think I didn't hydrate enough before the race. After I spit out the puke (I'm such a lady, I know) I walked to my car, grabbed the Gatorade, and felt better. Then I was on my way home to start cooking.

I cooked a 6 lb. turkey breast that my mother had thrown into the oven, mashed sweet potatoes, roasted stuffing with onions, garlic & celery, creamed spinach, gravy, and sweet potato pie for dessert. I was so tired. Being on my feet for hours didn't help my already sore lower body. Whatever. This was my plate.
I didn't have dinner, since we ate around 3 and I was still kinda full. I made myself a green monster smoothie to get in my milk requirements & some more fruit & veggies. I went way over my points, but I didn't binge or overeat to the point of making myself sick.

P.S. My oven roasted stuffing was the bomb diggity. If any of you want the recipe, send me an email. It's not from scratch though, just a recipe I kinda made up in my head with a bag of Pepperidge Farm herb flavored stuffing.

My brother, SIL & Sonia Begonia came over for a little bit. SIL looks really big - I think the baby will be here very, VERY soon. But hopefully he'll wait until after Sonia's birthday party next Saturday.

When Sonia came in, she immediately took my hand, and said in perfect Spanish: "Let's go color." She grabbed the coloring books and crayons that we keep for her here whenever she comes over, and asked me to help her color. She's so freaking cute, I can just eat her up. I love that kid. I wanted to get a picture of her, but she was camera shy tonight. Next time.

Wrapping up now. Thanks for reading. And make good choices!

Day 718.

2011-11-23T21:51:00.004-05:00

Whoa. This day was a doozy.

First, I walk into work, pick up the ringing phone, and it's one of the attorney's wives on the phone. The man is 81, has Parkinson's, a history of cancer and heart problems, and he still insists on coming into the office. He doesn't have any work to do. He had one major client that he lost because he over charged them. So now he's just coming into the office and making personal phone calls. That's it. Nothing else. Anyway, his wife wanted to speak to the boss, the managing partner in my firm, and I knew right away that something was wrong. She didn't sound good.

Two minutes later, we get an email from our boss, saying that the man had suffered a massive stroke last night and was in Intensive Care. The last update we had was that he was in surgery.

Which I found really odd. Because you have to wonder about the kind of doctor who's willing to operate on a man who's so fragile. Then again, we don't know all the details yet. But I have a feeling he won't be coming out of the hospital. Sad. I feel even worse about it because I don't really like him - I'm going to hell I can just feel it.

Anywho, we got out of work early because of the holiday. The contractor went over to my place and said he cleaned out everything he left there. Oh, and the leak was still leaking. Awesome. So I called the management office, and they told me they would get a plumber out, which they did. He fixed the leak. Fingers crossed.

Tomorrow morning, I'm running a Turkey Trot 5K. Then I have to head back home, bake dessert (sweet potato pie), make the spinach, mashed potatoes, gravy, and throw together a salad. Mom will throw the turkey in the oven, which I've marinated and seasoned already. Busy busy.

Big day tomorrow, so I'm wrapping up. Good eating day and rest day for me today. =)

Day 717 - Home Depot Aggravation.

2011-11-22T20:10:00.004-05:00

This morning I was up and at the apartment before 7:30 AM, waiting for the measure to come out from Home Depot. The time window was for 7:30 AM-9:30 AM. And when I walked in, there was water on the kitchen floor. Awesome.

This day got off to a fucking awesome start.

After wiping up the mess, I waited for the measurer to arrive. And waited. And waited.

HE NEVER SHOWED UP.

At 8:30 AM, I called the woman who had scheduled the appointment. I got her voicemail. So I left her a message. At 9 AM, I called the Home Depot store and spoke to someone in the Kitchen department. I explained the no-show situation, and she said she would call me back.

At 9:30, I decided to leave and get to work. I was fuming by this time. I was an hour late for work. Driving to work, I finally got a phone call from the woman who did the mix up. She explained that it was an error (read: fuck up) on their part, miscommunication on their part. She apologized, blah blah. I said, your error is not my problem.

So now I'm totally aggravated, and she's like, well, we can schedule for later in the afternoon, between 12-2. I said, no - that's no good for me, because I work. I could tell she was getting annoyed with me because I was giving her a major attitude. She deserved it. It's her fault that I wasted my time and was an hour late for work, and I told her that, too. She told me her supervisor would call me back with another appointment time.

Which she did. She apologized to me, and said she would accommodate me any way she could. So she rescheduled for later in the day, after I got out of work.

I tweeted about my experience today, too.

"Hey @HomeDepot, Fuck you. Thanks for wasting my time. I'll never go to your store again."

And about 10 minutes later, I got a response from them, requesting me to email them about the situation, and the store responsible. Which I did, and I let them have it. I was livid.

Apparently, cursing out a company on Twitter will get faster responses than anything else. Gotta love the power of social media. God, I fucking love Twitter.

When I got to the apartment, thankfully, there was no water on the floor. And the guy was prompt. And very nice. And kinda cute! LOL.

Home Depot agreed to give me a slight discount on the granite counter tops. But that still doesn't take away from my wasted time this morning. Ugh.

I called the contractor and told him to please clear up the equipment that he had left at my place. And he promised to connect the dishwasher, which will hopefully prevent any more leaks.

At lunchtime, I got home and worked out some of my anger on the treadmill. I did 25 minutes on the inclined treadmill, and burned 272 calories.

I was going to do a weights workout when I got back from the measure appointment, but decided against it. Besides, I didn't get home until after 7, and I was starving since I hadn't eaten dinner. I'm ok with that. At least I did work out.

Good eating day, considering the Home Depot bullshit. Tracked everything, got in all of my requirements, and stayed within my points.

Wrapping up now because I'm tired. Can't wait for Sons of Anarchy tonight.

Thanks for reading. Thank God for social media!

Day 716.

2011-11-21T19:30:00.004-05:00

I woke up at 4 AM, completely wide awake this morning. Yup, up & wide awake at silly o'clock. Ugh. I could hear my dog Lika snoring from the next room. She snores real loud for a Yorkie.

I got on Twitter (because what else would I do) and saw that one of my favorite ladies, Tara, tweeted a very extra perky "Good morning"!

I tweeted back - I've been up forever, so what's so good about it?

Tara: Well, you woke up today. I'd say that's a good start.

Touche, Tara.

So at 7 AM, I got up out of bed changed into my workout gear, and got onto the inclined treadmill. I did 26 minutes on the inclined treadmill. The good thing about working out in the morning is that you get it over with. When I got home from work I did a quick 30 minute lower body sculpting workout. Leg presses, lots of squats & lunges, dips, and hover squats. I can already feel my thighs and glutes getting sore. Awesomeness. I burned 616 calories total. See?

Good day overall. Tracked everything, got in all of my requirements, and stayed within my points.

Tomorrow I have to be up and at the apartment by 730 AM to wait for the Home Depot guy to come and measure for my countertops. Should be interesting. I'll be late going into work, but whatever.

What did you guys think of the Walking Dead? I thought the car sex scene between Andrea & Shane was fucking hot. Nothing like killing a few walkers to get the adrenaline pumping and want to have sex. Right, Andrea? Grabbing his crotch like that girl - you take the initiative! LOL.

Wrapping up now. Thanks for reading. And make good choices!

Day 715.

2011-11-20T19:41:00.006-05:00

Apparently, the contractor dude went over to my place this morning because there was a new valve installed and a small pan underneath to trap the water in case it leaks again. Mom & I headed over to survey the damage. She wanted to help me clean the place. I told her to take it easy. She cleaned my bathroom a little. I vacuumed what I could and cleaned the kitchen. Mom mopped my kitchen floor. She said she liked how the kitchen was turning out, in spite of the BS with the valve.

Anywho, I sweated just cleaning my apartment. Yup, it was quite a workout.

But my real workout was this morning. I started with 23 minutes on the inclined treadmill, then I did The Firm Super Charged Sculpting with Pam Cauthen-Meriwether. I burned a whole shit load of calories - 728!

I look like a load of dirty laundry, don't I?

Solid day today. I was supposed to go furniture shopping today, but I think I'll do that this coming weekend, since it's a long weekend.

Stayed within my points, tracked everything, and got in all of my requirements.

Wrapping up now. The Walking Dead comes on soon. I will proly tweet spoilers. I may even update tonight right here! LOL.

Thanks for reading. Make good choices!

Day 714 - More Condo Aggravation.

2011-11-19T19:52:00.006-05:00

I had a busy day ahead of me. The plan was to work out in the morning, shower, eat breakfast, then head on over to the apartment to clean the place from top to bottom.

Sounds like a plan, right?

I go over, with the vacuum cleaner, and armed with Lysol, Ajax, and Soft Scrub. The mess wasn't as bad as I expected. Most of the clutter from the painters was gone. And my cabinets were hung up! I was starting to really feel better about this move. See?

I'm still waiting for Home Depot to come and install my granite countertops. That's why you don't see my new kitchen sink. There's not enough to support it, and since it has to rest on top of the countertop, that can't be installed yet.

You should've seen what the kitchen looked like before. It was where the color yellow came to die. And white plywood cabinets. Gross.

Anywho, I start to get all of my cleaning agents together, when all of a sudden, I hear - SWOOSH. Like water running through. And sure enough, there was water. Coming from one of the sink valves. Dripping through my brand new kitchen cabinets, onto my brand new kitchen floor.

Are you fucking kidding me?

So I immediately call the contractor, who swore that he had tightened the pipes. He suggested that maybe the valve needs to be replaced. Then he told that he had noticed that it had happened before.

So now I'm fuming. Why didn't he tell me about this before? Why didn't he fix it when he noticed it?

Why the fuck does this kind of shit keep happening?

I am so aggravated. He told me he would try to get over to my place today, if not, then tomorrow morning.

Uh huh. I called my friend's plumber (who's super hot, by the way. He did some work at my job, that's how I know), I left him a voicemail, and am waiting for him to call me back. I wonder if he can just install the sink and my faucet anyway. I'm not sure what he'll tell me.

Taking a deep breath now.

Oh, I owe you guys a sweaty pic, so let me tell you about my workout first. I started with 25 minutes on the inclined treadmill, then I did The Firm Abs, Hips & Thighs with LaReine Chabut. I did about 5 minutes of upper body sculpting to counter all that lower body work. I burned 527 calories.
Still waiting for sexy plumber to call me back. I have a feeling it's not gonna happen.

So aggravated now. But it was still a good food day. Tracked everything, and got in all of my requirements.

Wrapping up now. Thanks for reading. And make good choices.

Days 710-713.

2011-11-18T11:22:00.003-05:00

Hey guys, I'm really sorry for being MIA lately. I've been majorly busy with my apartment. And waiting for the arrival of my new nephew any second. Seriously. My SIL is ready to pop.

It's almost done. Almost. Everything's painted, shower door has been installed, and the new cabinets have been hung up. I'm just waiting for my granite countertops, and my new kitchen sink & faucet to be installed.

This weekend, I plan on cleaning & scrubbing the place from top to bottom. Sunday, I'm going furniture shopping because I have absolutely nothing. No furniture at all. Zero. And then I think I'll take the last week of November off to get things delivered and installed.

Crazy busy. Last night I had a doctor's appointment for laser hair removal on my face (lovely), and she also cleaned up a few zits I had. It's getting better, btw. I think the stress really got to me, but now that it's ALMOST over, I can relax a little.

And I owe you guys a sweaty pic. I will do that tomorrow. With all the cleaning & scrubbing I have to do, I'm positive I'll be sweating like a pig. Who ever said cleaning wasn't hard work has obviously never cleaned before.

So that's my life in a nutshell.

Day 709.

2011-11-14T21:03:00.005-05:00

There are days when I either have nothing to write about or I feel like changing it up a little. Today is one of those days. I feel like talking about the Walking Dead. So if you haven't seen it - stop reading now!

Ok seriously at this point - I kinda hope Sophia is dead. For real. I know that sounds terrible but I can't help it. She's probably a zombie by now anyway. I think that ship has sailed. And Carol's boring. So maybe they need to off those characters because they're just not interesting at all - and they're going no where fast.

Daryl - hot, sexy, white trailer trash Daryl. Look at you and your delusional self, conjuring up your in-all-likelihood-dead brother. I get it - your brother is your "chupacabra". Cool metaphor. I thought for sure he got bit when that walker started nibbling on his foot. But why cut off his ear after killing him? Souvenir?

Lori - you're a whore. That's all I have on that.

Andrea - when people tell you not to fire the shotgun, DON'T FIRE THE GUN! Because you might do something stupid - like shoot sexy in a white trash kind-of-way Daryl, you stupid fuck! I hope they kill her off soon. She's another character I don't really care about. Her & Carol. And Sophia.

What is up with those walkers in Hershel's barn? I've got a theory. I think maybe they are family members/close friends. Hershel told Rick when they first met that he believes there is a cure.

Glenn's a horny bastard. Good for him. =)

Well, that's my take on the show. What did you guys think?

Days 707-708.

2011-11-13T20:18:00.008-05:00

So yesterday I went to the eye doctor for my recurring pinkeye. She gave me a thorough examination which was ok. It lasted longer than I thought. The good news: I don't have have catarcts or glaucoma and I don't need glasses. She told me that because I sleep on my right side, the pink eye is allergic pink eye, and it's something in my pillows. I have to throw out my pillows, which I've already done. I need to get new pillows and buy protective casings for them, which I haven't done. I have a feeling it might be because of the dogs. They don't sleep with me anymore, ever since I found out I'm allergic to them. But I do let them on my bed sometimes. So no more of that.

The bad news: she said she saw white dots in my retinas. I need to go to a specialist to see what it is because she had no idea. Fuck. When I got home, I immediately googled "white spots in eyes" and I came to the conclusion that I'm either dying or losing my eyesight, or both. Because I'm such a positive person by nature. (I'm from NY people, I can't help it.)

If you follow me on Twitter, then you witnessed firsthand my self-diagnosis. This is the problem with having quick access to a ton of information: you have quick access to a ton of information. And of course, you can self diagnose. No good.

Well, tomorrow I'm going to call and make the appointment. Should be fun times to see what they tell me.

Today we went to my brother's house. My SIL is very, very pregnant right now with the next Jets/Yankees fan in our family. They've decided to name him Marcus David. I'm not really thrilled with that name at all, but I wasn't thrilled either when they told us about Sonia's name. And now, I can't imagine her being named anything else. So I'll get used to it Marcus, or Mark. Don't really have a choice on that one. All good.

I broke up my workout today into 2 parts. Before we left to go to my brother's, I did 28 minutes on the inclined treadmill. After we got home, I decided to do The Firm Fat Blasting Cardio with Lisa Kay. I did about 10 minutes of stepping to bring my calorie burn up. I wound up burning 704 calories total.

Felt good to be sweaty. I didn't work out yesterday because I was way too busy Googling and self-diagnosing. Yeah, I know - awesome excuse.

Tracked everything, ate within my points, and got in all of my requirements.

Wrapping up now. Jets-Patriots game is on right now. Make good choices!

Days 705-706.

2011-11-11T19:10:00.008-05:00

Happy Veteran's Day to all the men an women and service dogs who are serving or have served to keep us free and safe. Yeah, I'm giving props to the service dogs. They don't get the recognition they deserve.

Apparently, I lost a blog follower after my previous post about Penn State. Apparently, they were of a different opinion than mine. That's ok - we're allowed to have our own opinions. But you stopped following my blog because of a difference in opinon? Seriously? What-fucking-ever. I'm not wasting any more time on this.

So last night Tim, Marisol & I all made a deal to work out. It all started like it did last time. I made the dumbass mistake of tweeting that I didn't feel like working out. Because I have pink eye. Again. For the third time since August. I've decided to finally be proactive and made an appointment to see the eye doctor tomorrow.

Anywho, so Marisol tweeted me with "You run/walk with your eyes? Get it done!"

Tim said if I worked out, he would too. Marisol agreed to also. So a deal was brokered and tweeted into agreement. We also all agreed to pics or it didn't happen. I didn't work out last night, but I took the holiday off from work, and worked out this morning.

Go check out their sweaty pics. They're awesome!

Tim, Marisol - thanks for getting me to move my ass. Tim, do I really give you that much of a hard time? C'mon now. You have to know I could totally do much worse. ;)

I did 20 minutes on the inclined treadmill, then I did The Firm Maximum Cardio with Carissa Foster. I burned 733 calories. See?

I took the day off from work because my cabinets were getting delivered today. When I went to my apartment to wait for the delivery, my contractor/family friend & his crew were painting the walls. The right color this time. Sigh. Don't get me started on that. They were also installing the shower door, and then they were going to hang up the cabinets after the paint dried in the kitchen. He also told me that they were going to start moving my kitchen appliances back into my kitchen. I'm going to swing by tomorrow and take a look at the progress.

After that, I ran a few quick errands, grocery shopping, and stopping by the post office. Quiet day, and I'm ok with that.

Gonna wrap up now. Thanks for reading, loyal followers. And make good choices!