Saturday, February 23, 2008
One Week Check-Up
Remember last week? Were you wondering if we were able to maintain our amazing kitchen and bath makeovers? Wonder no more...
Unfortunately it seems something had to take a backseat...
Unfortunately it seems something had to take a backseat...
Friday, February 22, 2008
Back On Track... Or At Least Getting There
I didn't want to do it.... but... I did.
I sucked it up and got on the treadmill.
I didn't do an hour of crazy cardio but I pumped out a decent workout.
And that's enough.
I sucked it up and got on the treadmill.
I didn't do an hour of crazy cardio but I pumped out a decent workout.
And that's enough.
Where Did The Fire Go?
This week has been a rough one for me. I've been trying to get re-motivated in regards to my diet and fitness and I just can't seem to do it. Although my weight has stayed stable my body fat had started creeping up. This is not too surprising considering that I had really let my workouts take a back seat ever since December. And try as I might I just can't get the same kind of fire burning under me that I had when I was actively losing weight.
I realize that in many ways I am in a fairly enviable situation... I have reached the thinnest weight of my adult life and have found that I can maintain it with little to no effort. But that isn't my goal. My goal is to be the healthiest, fittest, version of myself and in some ways my current weight is irrelevant. Now don't get me wrong, I'm happy with my weight and ecstatic that I can maintain it. The thing is that the weight was only supposed to be step one on my journey. This time last year when I was starting my journey I couldn't have imagined that the unstoppable focus and passion I had found for weight loss would putter out so quickly.
I still have work to do but find that without the daily reminder of snug pants and matronly arms that I don't have the motivation to go further. And this is problematic. Because if I don't have the motivation to go further who's to say how long it will be until my weight creeps up and my new clothes get just a little bit tight. I want to find that thing that got me moving everyday that inspired me to pump out six days of crazy cardio no matter what was going on with no excuses. These days I'm all excuses all the time. And every day I get further from my last workout the harder it is to get back into my routine.
While I may be maintaining I know that there is a reason this is my lowest weight. And my revved up metabolism is only going to continue to burn at this level if I continue to challenge my body and build more muscle and burn more calories. I know it and I get it.... and yet... I've spent the last four nights relaxing on the couch.
I realize that in many ways I am in a fairly enviable situation... I have reached the thinnest weight of my adult life and have found that I can maintain it with little to no effort. But that isn't my goal. My goal is to be the healthiest, fittest, version of myself and in some ways my current weight is irrelevant. Now don't get me wrong, I'm happy with my weight and ecstatic that I can maintain it. The thing is that the weight was only supposed to be step one on my journey. This time last year when I was starting my journey I couldn't have imagined that the unstoppable focus and passion I had found for weight loss would putter out so quickly.
I still have work to do but find that without the daily reminder of snug pants and matronly arms that I don't have the motivation to go further. And this is problematic. Because if I don't have the motivation to go further who's to say how long it will be until my weight creeps up and my new clothes get just a little bit tight. I want to find that thing that got me moving everyday that inspired me to pump out six days of crazy cardio no matter what was going on with no excuses. These days I'm all excuses all the time. And every day I get further from my last workout the harder it is to get back into my routine.
While I may be maintaining I know that there is a reason this is my lowest weight. And my revved up metabolism is only going to continue to burn at this level if I continue to challenge my body and build more muscle and burn more calories. I know it and I get it.... and yet... I've spent the last four nights relaxing on the couch.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Isn't It Romantic
"Ever wonder what my old lady hairstyle is going to be?" I ask Mr F across our candlelit table for two
"Um... not really." Mr F responds
"Do you ever wonder what mine will be?" He quickly adds with a glint in his eye
"Um... not really." Mr F responds
"Do you ever wonder what mine will be?" He quickly adds with a glint in his eye
Darkened Room Anyone?
Ten points if you guessed today's topic.... yes.... migraines!
This is something I've been thinking a lot about this week. I don't personally suffer from migraines but I know a lot of women who do. I think this is one of those things that is a very misunderstood and underestimated (if not under diagnosed and treated) problem. As someone who has only ever had a mild headache I can't even imagine what it must be like to literally have blinding pain. My best friend suffers from fairly frequent and debilitating migraines and I can't imagine how I would parent, or how anyone can, when they are going through one. I don't know how many of you are affected by this, either directly or through a loved one, but I imagine that the ramifications of having a seemingly invisible ailment (and I can relate to that) is stressful and frustrating.
I was listening to an NPR story the other day where people were describing their experiences and I thought that maybe this would be a useful and interesting topic. You can find the NPR story HERE. I have no idea what type of treatments are out there, or what you all may have tried, but maybe some of you could benefit from another's experience.... if not a little validation never hurt anyone. So what do you do when one hits? Has anything helped? Have you figured out your triggers? You never know what might help someone else so please do share your story in the comments.
This is something I've been thinking a lot about this week. I don't personally suffer from migraines but I know a lot of women who do. I think this is one of those things that is a very misunderstood and underestimated (if not under diagnosed and treated) problem. As someone who has only ever had a mild headache I can't even imagine what it must be like to literally have blinding pain. My best friend suffers from fairly frequent and debilitating migraines and I can't imagine how I would parent, or how anyone can, when they are going through one. I don't know how many of you are affected by this, either directly or through a loved one, but I imagine that the ramifications of having a seemingly invisible ailment (and I can relate to that) is stressful and frustrating.
I was listening to an NPR story the other day where people were describing their experiences and I thought that maybe this would be a useful and interesting topic. You can find the NPR story HERE. I have no idea what type of treatments are out there, or what you all may have tried, but maybe some of you could benefit from another's experience.... if not a little validation never hurt anyone. So what do you do when one hits? Has anything helped? Have you figured out your triggers? You never know what might help someone else so please do share your story in the comments.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
I'll Show You Mine If You Show Me Yours
So yesterday's post about gift giving and some reader's comments... especially the one about the giant glass squirrel... got me thinking about the worst gift I ever received. I just spent quite a bit of time trying to track down an image... but wouldn't you know they don't make this item anymore?
So you will have to close your eyes and try to conjure up an appropriate image.
The first Christmas after Mr F and I were married he got me, hands down, the most ridiculous gift in all of creation.
And he got it monogramed.
What was it?
Well... I'll do my best here to describe it...
It was a light blue fleece zip up robe type garment.... with.... holes in the bottom... for your FEET!
Yes, people, I looked like a giant Teletubby!
And, NO, I am not making this up.
First Christmas as newlyweds... and he got my a giant fleece pouch with my initials on it.
He thought it would be cozy and warm and, clearly, didn't think about what would be involved every time I had to go to the bathroom!
It was kind of like a cross between THIS and THIS.
That's mine... what's yours?
So you will have to close your eyes and try to conjure up an appropriate image.
The first Christmas after Mr F and I were married he got me, hands down, the most ridiculous gift in all of creation.
And he got it monogramed.
What was it?
Well... I'll do my best here to describe it...
It was a light blue fleece zip up robe type garment.... with.... holes in the bottom... for your FEET!
Yes, people, I looked like a giant Teletubby!
And, NO, I am not making this up.
First Christmas as newlyweds... and he got my a giant fleece pouch with my initials on it.
He thought it would be cozy and warm and, clearly, didn't think about what would be involved every time I had to go to the bathroom!
It was kind of like a cross between THIS and THIS.
That's mine... what's yours?
Sweet Dreams
"Remember tomorrow there is no school.... so feel free to sleep in.
Take a nice long sleep and sleep as long as you can." I say to Kid as she gets ready for bed
"Okay" Kid says as she heads up the stairs
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
I'm Just Asking
If people give you gifts you don't want, can't use, or just plain don't like, what do you do?
Do you tell them and give it back?
Do you try to make a shady return without the receipt?
Do you keep it and bring it out for their visits?
Do you put it in a special "re-gifting" closet?
What is the proper thing to do.... and more to the point... what do you do?
Do you tell them and give it back?
Do you try to make a shady return without the receipt?
Do you keep it and bring it out for their visits?
Do you put it in a special "re-gifting" closet?
What is the proper thing to do.... and more to the point... what do you do?
Monday, February 18, 2008
This Week The Plan
This Week's Menu is Brought to You by Canine:
This should be a really cheap week. The only things I need to buy are for the Chicken Soup this weekend. Everything else I have already got in the freezer! Thanks Canine :)
Monday - Spaghetti & Meatballs w/ steamed broccoli & carrots
Tuesday - Chicken, Shrimp, & Veggie Faux Lo mein
Wednesday - Tomato & Meatball Soup w/ salad
Thursday - believe it or not we are going on a real date! (unheard of)
Friday - Cornflake Crusted Tilapia w/ green beans
Saturday - Take Out
Sunday - Chicken Soup & Homemade Bread
Diet & Exercise:
I'm trying to get up to at least 20% of my caloric intake coming from protein. I probably started out two weeks ago at about 40-50 grams of protein and I need to bump it up to at least 100 grams a day. I will say that on the days I get close to 100 grams I am MUCH more satisfied throughout the day and have a lot less sugar cravings. Now keep in mind that I eat over 2000 calories a day so 100 grams is the goal for me. If you want to aim for 20% protein divide your calories by 5 and then that number by 4... the result will be your protein gram goal. This is not by any means a cray high protein diet but if you are a carb oriented person like myself this might be a good way to try and balance your diet out.
Last week I didn't make all my exercise days... that seems to be the story of my life lately! This week I'm shooting for 3 Crazy cardio session of 70-80 minutes each and 2 full hours of pilates. If I can't seem to fit in more 5 days (and I can't) then I'm just going to working really hard on the days I do workout. FYI.... I've got a new incline routine for anyone that is bored or has acclimated to my old routine... this one KICKS your ass. I'll post about it tomorrow.
Cleaning, Chores & Errands:
You may recall that I've mentioned our new carpet issues.... you know that something is shedding all over it and I have to vacuum at least every other day now otherwise it looks like this:
Well I think I've identified the culprit:
We got this blanket for Christmas, and although it is soft and warm, having bits all over the rug isn't worth it! So I'm putting it in the basement for the week to test my theory out.
In the meantime here's what I've got on tap:
Monday - vacuum & stain treat
Tuesday - grocery shop and run laundry
Wednesday - put away laundry (wait till you see the modifications we've made in this department!)
Thursday - write & send Baby's b'day thank yous (finally got out Kid's xmas ones last week!)
Friday - vacuum & spend time online shopping for a new desk (that has storage!)
Saturday - spend 45 minutes doing actually cleaning
(kids are crazy I'll be back....)
This should be a really cheap week. The only things I need to buy are for the Chicken Soup this weekend. Everything else I have already got in the freezer! Thanks Canine :)
Monday - Spaghetti & Meatballs w/ steamed broccoli & carrots
Tuesday - Chicken, Shrimp, & Veggie Faux Lo mein
Wednesday - Tomato & Meatball Soup w/ salad
Thursday - believe it or not we are going on a real date! (unheard of)
Friday - Cornflake Crusted Tilapia w/ green beans
Saturday - Take Out
Sunday - Chicken Soup & Homemade Bread
Diet & Exercise:
I'm trying to get up to at least 20% of my caloric intake coming from protein. I probably started out two weeks ago at about 40-50 grams of protein and I need to bump it up to at least 100 grams a day. I will say that on the days I get close to 100 grams I am MUCH more satisfied throughout the day and have a lot less sugar cravings. Now keep in mind that I eat over 2000 calories a day so 100 grams is the goal for me. If you want to aim for 20% protein divide your calories by 5 and then that number by 4... the result will be your protein gram goal. This is not by any means a cray high protein diet but if you are a carb oriented person like myself this might be a good way to try and balance your diet out.
Last week I didn't make all my exercise days... that seems to be the story of my life lately! This week I'm shooting for 3 Crazy cardio session of 70-80 minutes each and 2 full hours of pilates. If I can't seem to fit in more 5 days (and I can't) then I'm just going to working really hard on the days I do workout. FYI.... I've got a new incline routine for anyone that is bored or has acclimated to my old routine... this one KICKS your ass. I'll post about it tomorrow.
Cleaning, Chores & Errands:
You may recall that I've mentioned our new carpet issues.... you know that something is shedding all over it and I have to vacuum at least every other day now otherwise it looks like this:
Well I think I've identified the culprit:
We got this blanket for Christmas, and although it is soft and warm, having bits all over the rug isn't worth it! So I'm putting it in the basement for the week to test my theory out.
In the meantime here's what I've got on tap:
Monday - vacuum & stain treat
Tuesday - grocery shop and run laundry
Wednesday - put away laundry (wait till you see the modifications we've made in this department!)
Thursday - write & send Baby's b'day thank yous (finally got out Kid's xmas ones last week!)
Friday - vacuum & spend time online shopping for a new desk (that has storage!)
Saturday - spend 45 minutes doing actually cleaning
(kids are crazy I'll be back....)
Sunday, February 17, 2008
The Cleaning Continues
BEHOLD!
Before:
After:
(sorry this is sideways)Before:
After:
(again sorry)It might be hard to tell how much cleaning out went into this closet makeover... but it really was a major overhaul.
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