Waves

I've been wanting to come back here and update again, but I couldn't remember the link or anything, but I was getting ready to have my husband wipe out my laptop and update it, when I find it.

So much has happened in the 5+ years since I updated and I want to write about that, too.

I look forward to getting back to blogging again.

Changes

Getting ready to do this whole blog over.

Give me a little time.

It's coming.

My letter to WW

Dear Weight Watchers,

I've had such a love/hate relationship with you since I was 14 years old. That's almost 28 years if you are keeping track. Longer if you count when my Mom lost 90 pounds with  you when I  was 2 years old. That was back when you couldn't eat ketchup and you mixed tuna with mustard.

But, I digress.

However, I find that when I follow your program, something magical happens. I lose weight. Since Monday, I have lost 4 pounds just by counting those magical points you give. No exercise this week (yet) but I'm working on that.

So once again, I'm sorry for bashing you because I do know you work. You helped me lose 40 pounds when I was 14.. You helped me lost 67 pounds when I was 23 You helped me lose 137 pounds when I was 25 and you helped me lose 85 when I was 35. I know you work, yet sometimes I have to come back to you with my tail between my legs.

Not too mention all my friends and family you've helped over the years.

Maybe it's the commercials with Jessica and Jennifer.

Maybe it's the 15K I am running in July.

But something has clicked in me once again.

And I believe I've woken something my coworker, too. We just might lose the weight we both gained last year and kick it to the curb yet.

So, please forgive me. I know you work and I do love you. I just thought something else would be that "thing" for me last year and I am sorry.

All my love,

Sarah

What I did last night

So. I think I sort of signed for a race last night. No, I don't THINK I signed up, I know I did.

I'm actually really excited about it. Not only does it give me something to train for over the next few months, but I also get to meet Suzi and Marissa. Plus there were other ladies there that I don't know but am looking forward to meeting.

The race is the Boilermaker and it's July 14th. That gives me PLENTY of time to train. I had less time to rain for my half marathon in 2011. I'm really excited and can't wait to get started.

What did you do last night?

Hungry for a Change

On New Years Day, the husband and I watched this movie on Netflix

It was really amazing and opened up my eyes on what I really have been doing wrong this past year.

In the movie, there was a man named Jon Gabriel who I had lost over 200 pounds WITHOUT DIETING and I was really interested in his book. So I ordered it. And I haven't been able to put it down.

EVERYTHING he says makes total since to me. I am so sick and tired of dieting. Honestly. I don't want to count points or calories anymore. So, we'll see.

Even you don't want to read the book, check out the movie. It really makes a lot of sense. 

Happy 2013

The husband and I watched "Looper" last night. It was excellent. I also enjoyed the last of the junk food for awhile. 2013 I'll be eating clean again and start kicking my own ass.

I started off this morning with a little Biggest Loser Weight Loss Yoga. I made it to midnight last night for the first time in 3 years, so I slept in. I didn't feel like running outside in the freezing cold garage and I didn't really feel like heading down to the gym either, so I decided 60 minutes of some Bob Harper would feel good.

My stomach is already sore and I know tomorrow I'm going to really be in some pain. But, it's all part of kicking ass in 2013. 

Now, I'm just going to enjoy the rest of the day before I have to go back to work. But, I'm glad the mad rush for the end of the year is finally over and I'm looking forward to the slow down of January. 

What did you do today to work up a sweat?

What did you do last night to ring in the new year?

Looking forward to January

I hate snow.

No, I hate snow. I seriously hate it. The husband and I considered moving out of New England in 2011 until he started the job he has right now.

Right now it's snowing here in Connecticut and I'm annoyed as hell. Once again it most likely ruined my gym plans for tomorrow.

Damn, damn, DAMN!

Patiently waiting for January 1st. I am going to start working in some weight lifting again and stop being the cardio queen.

I will also be glad when this month is over and work gets somewhat back to normal. I worked 4 hours today to try and catch up. It's easier when no one is around.

What did you do today?

Music ideas?

Unfortunately, I didn't make it to the gym this morning. 

I' m not too sure if it was the the plows that kept going by during the night that kept waking me up or the fact that I just didn't sleep all that well, but I wasn't up to getting up when my alarm went off at 5am so I reset my alarm and went back to bed until 6:30am.

But, tomorrow is a new day and I plan to hit the treadmill in the morning.

The weather sucks here. I'm not a huge fan of snow, ice and cold weather at all. But, leaving in Connecticut I just have to deal with it.  And since it's probably going to messy the morning, I'm just going to run it out on the treadmill.

Things are still going good with my eating. I had a flash of eating junk when I got home today while I was at work, but I blame that on some of the stress I was feeling at work. I'm going to have to come in on Saturday and I'm not exactly thrilled about it. But, I have to get everything done and extra money is always good.

I'm in desperate need of some new music for my workout list. What can you suggest for me?

Happy Day After Christmas

I hope everyone had a great Christmas (if you celebrate). Mine was good. It wasn't GREAT (a few family issues) but last not on twitter I was being a total sour puss and I shouldn't have been.

I got the new vacuum I desperately needed. No, I really wanted it. My MIL bought it for me and I couldn't be happier.

My husband bought me a new Garmin. I can't wait to try it out tomorrow. I was going to try to hit the gym today, but I was exhausted after all the running around I did yesterday.

I got a great new water bottle, too. My old SIG was just a sad mess. I had dropped it so many times it didn't stand up without wobbling. And it's a really nice pretty purple color. 

I got a lot of gift cards, too. Can't go wrong with gift cards. I need to go over to Starbucks on Sunday after the gym so I can get me a nice strong coffee and use some of my gift card. And Target. I love me some Target.

And today started my New Years Resolution. I am not waiting until next Wednesday. I can't. I have my BIL's wedding in August I need to look AWESOME for and I can't mess around anymore. I want to look KILLER for this wedding. So I started back counting points today and so far so good. Old WW points. It's what works for me.

I also signed up for this challenge that Jess is holding. I'm always up for a good challenge.

Right now it's crazy at work. With end of the month AND year it's nuts. I am ready for it to be over now. I am sure I'll be working on Saturday.

So what did YOU get for Christmas?

Something

I've wanted to post about the horrible tragedy that happened here in Connecticut, but I just didn't know how.  Even today, I'm still in shock and my heart is broken.

I wanted to do something. ANYTHING to help Sandy Hook.

So I signed up for this:

Sandy Hook Elementary Memorial Virtual Half and 5K.

It may not be a lot but it's something and I know it's something I can do.

Of course I signed up for the half and I haven't run over 5 miles since Christmas of last year, but it doesn't matter. I'll walk it if I half to.

I wanted to do something and it is close to my heart. Just like Connecticut.

Back soon

December has been super busy. Getting back from vacation and back into the swing of things at work has been hard.

I've taken a little blog vacation but I promise to be back at it in 2013.

I have to. My diet and exercise are suffering, too.

But, I have a big wedding that I'm attending in August and I want to look and feel my best so I need to get ready for that.

I'm still reading everyone.

And I'll be back soon!! 

Day of Silence

What a dope

Back from New Orleans.  Had an amazing and fantastic time!!

I didn't gain a single pound. I stayed the same so I'm pretty happy about that.  I tried to have a light breakfast and lunch so that when we had dinner I could eat a little heavier. I ate a lot of salad. A lot of salad. And chicken.

Worked out at the hotel fitness center 3 times while I was there with the other wives.

Walked A LOT. By Friday night I was exhausted and my feet were so sore.

My allergies decided to flare up super bad over the weekend before we left and I had to explain to my husbands BOSS what the hell Angioedmea was.  It was kind of embarrassing. It was bad enough when we showed up at the airport with my eye swollen shut, but everyone was staring at me like I'm some kind of jerk.

Monday night after I we got back to the hotel, I took off my sneakers I took off my shoe to find I had the worlds biggest blister. I am not kidding. I think it's because my foot was swollen so badly. It was so gross. I had to have my husband take care of it because I was so freaked out. I've never had a blister that big before.

New Orleans is crazy. Really crazy. I've never seen a city that crazy before. Not even Vegas.

And I had my first Skinny Peppermint Mocha from Starbucks. Total heaven. I want another one right now.

Our hotel room had a Keruig in it.

Today I had the day off from work so I decided to go out and do a little Christmas shopping after my run and I locked my keys in the car.  My husband had to drive from work an hour away to come unlock my door. I was so mad at myself. What a dope.

Back to work tomorrow. I'm ready to get back to normal. 

How is it already December?

My allergies decided to come out and play today. Two days before we leave for New Orleans. Now,  it's not a big deal when I swell up on my hand, my arm, foot, etc, but when it's my face, I get really mad. And hide. It's rather embarrassing.

That is what I looked like when I left the gym and headed over to work. Right now my entire upper lip is swollen. And now it feels like the bottom one is started to swell.

I can't even tell you how frustrating and upsetting this is for me. I have a lot of things I need to do and planned on doing tonight, but because I don't like to go out in public (I'm surprised I even went to the gym but it wasn't too bad when I left the house) and have people stare at me, I won't go. I'm hoping tomorrow I'm back to normal again.

I've cried over this a couple times today. I still need to get my blood work done that I said I was going to get done in October, but never did. It's getting done when I get back from New Orleans.

In exercise news, I ran 3 miles at the gym. 3 very angry miles since I was so upset about my swelling. It's been a rough year for me with this. And I'm sick of it.

I wore my compression socks all day at work and I love them. I need to get more. I'm hoping that Santa brings me a couple more pairs.

I'm going into work again tomorrow. I have so much I need to finish up before vacation actually starts. I worked 6 hours today but only plan to go in for a couple hours tomorrow.

How was your Saturday?

The Flying Pig

As our trip to New Orleans draws closer (we leave on Monday) and the New Year is about a month away (2013 already?) I have already begun to think about where I want to see myself at this time next year.

A few months ago, I had hoped to be pregnant by now. But, I was not, in my eyes, at a healthy weight mentally or physically. I didn't want to be 190 pounds, get pregnant and gain 20+ pounds.  I wanted to be where I was last year. Working  out 5 days a week, eating right and taking care of my body. Not too mention at a weight I considered healthy.

As much as I hear that baby clock ticking (and man, it ticks really loud some days) I don't think I can mentally do that to myself. I'm not ready.  And so, when I return from New Orleans next week, I am going to throw myself back into my weight loss and exercise goals. I have been doing pretty well at it over the past few weeks. I only gained 0.8 over Thanksgiving and I'm fine with that. But, I'm no longer going to be a slave to the scale. It's going away for awhile. I can't let it rule my moods.

And, no longer will I just be the cardio queen that I am. I get up, I go to the gym, I run my 3-4 miles and I come home and shower. No more. I want to run, but I also need to get in some weight lifting. And I need to shake it up a bit. Take some spin classes once or twice a week. Last night I did Yoga when I got home and I am DEAD SORE today (also got a tweet from Bob Harper HELLO?!) after I said I didn't feel anything last night. These are things that are missing. I need to keep moving EVERY SINGLE DAY!

So, as much I am dreading this trip, because of the fact I feel like this fat frumpy, gross, woman, I am going to try and enjoy myself. I hate that I can't fit into any of my cute winter clothes from last year, but it's MY FAULT and if I want that to change, I need to change it. No one else can do that.

And, but don't quote me on this yet because it's only in the beginning phases, but I've been talking with this lovely lady about  MAYBE doing the Pig Half Marathon Flying in May. It would be something to work on. Maybe. I don't even know. I'm scared. Crap.

Work has been tough!

My Mom went home today. I'm very sad about this. It seems like she just got here and now she's gone. I think that part of it is because she'll be 71 next month and since I last saw her (which was in January of 2012) she seems to have aged some. She not as bad as some elderly people, but she's not in as good shape as others. She has a hard time with walking and needs to lean on things, walk with a cane or use a wheelchair or walker at times. I guess I'm worried I may not have that much time with her. But she is in good health otherwise.

However, she does want to move back here and looked around at some apartments when she was here. Probably sometime in the spring or summer she'll move back home.

As for me, my exercise has been pretty spot on. I went to the gym Wednesday-Sunday and took Monday and Tuesday off. I decided yesterday I need to work out every day. Not just for physical but for my mental health as well.

My eating was not so spot on this weekend, but it was tough with the holiday and getting back into the swing of things. And with my Mom here. But I did the best I could and so if I gain I gain. We'll see what happens.  I'm not going to beat myself up over it. I'm worth more.

Hard to believe we're leaving for New Orleans on Monday!!! I'm excited and nervous at the same time. My eating will be put to the test but there is a fitness center in the hotel.

Work has been tough. I've work 9 hour days these days 3 days and will most likely be doing the same Thursday and Friday. Plus, I'll be going in on Saturday and Sunday. I have so much to finish up before I leave for vacation.

I'm ready for Christmas though. I plan to shop while I'm in New Orleans.  I already know a few things I plan to pick up.

And Jessica Simpson is pregnant again. Wow. There are no words.

How often do you work out?

Have you ever been to New Orleans?

Jessica Simpson...what?! lol

Happy Day After Thanksgiving

I purchased my first pair of compression socks on Wednesday and I'm a bit obsessed with them.

I ordered another pair already because I'm that much in love with them. Super comfortable.

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. I hit the gym in the morning for a 4 mile run. We had a great dinner with family. And I ate. A lot. But isn't that the point? I didn't care about one day. I've already moved on from it. 

I slept in this morning because I was exhausted. I was up early yesterday to cook the turkey (my sister's oven wasn't big enough so I cooked the turkey and brought it over), the gym and to pick up a newspaper. I don't go shopping on Black Friday but I do like to look at the flyers. It's something my Mom and I have done since I was a kid. And we watched the parade together.

I ran 3.5 miles this morning. And had left over turkey for breakfast/lunch. Yum!

I was going to go grocery shopping but I'm enjoying sitting around the apartment in my pajamas.

I also lost 1.6 pounds this week. So since I went back to Weight Watchers I have lost 4.8 pounds in 2 weeks. And that is with my Birthday in the mix. The first week back I did 3 days of running. The second week back I did 5 days. I'm happy with my progress.

We'll just wait and see what today brings. 

Busy me

I'm sorry I've neglected my blog the past few days. I've been super busy. It doesn't mean I've fallen off the wagon.

I've been trying to spent time with my Mom, work, hit the gym and get ready for Thanksgiving.  It's a little exhausting. Plus, my husband isn't feeling very well tonight so that has me worried. I hate when his kidney acts up and it always makes me scared he'll end up in the emergency room like he did in 2008 and need surgery again.

Hopefully after the holiday I'll be able to have a proper update. I feel like I don't have too much to post about right now anyway. And, I do plan on posting every day in December as a little bit of a end of 2012 blow up for myself.

Plus, New Orleans and all that.

So, Happy Thanksgiving if I don't post before that. And I'll update again Friday!!

I just about peed myself

Best.Tweet. Ever.

Thanks Karen for the photo capture!!

I ran 3 miles today. I'm enjoying some Mom time.

Life is pretty darn good.

Happy Dance

This week was one of the best weeks I've had food wise. I counted everything I ate. I was tempted to eat anything I hadn't planned to eat. And when I was stressed or upset, I didn't reach for a bag of cookies or a doughnut or anything I knew was horrible for my body.

And with that, I managed to lose 3.2 pounds!! I'm so proud and happy with myself, too. I still have a long way to go to lose the 30+ pounds I put on this year, but I know I'm finally moving in the right direction. It feels really good, too.  Counting Weight Watchers points is really the thing that WORKS for me and my body is rewarding me with the weight loss.

This week is going to be tough, too.  I have my Birthday on Sunday which I'm going to and not overindulge TOO much. However with that being said, Monday I know working is planning a little something something for me (thanks work bff for that heads up) so I have to try and be careful with that, too. And of course, Thursday is Thanksgiving. All of this in the same week. I'm going to try and workout as much as possible this week for activity points. I'm going to need them.

I'm off from work today. Tomorrow my Mom comes to visit and I'm excited. It's been almost a year since she was last here and I can't wait to see her. Unfortunately her visit isn't just to see her daughters. My Aunt, her sister, is very sick and I don't think she is going to be around for Christmas.

My husband gave me my Birthday present yesterday. It's a brand new laptop. I love it. It's awesome and just what I wanted. I knew my I.T. guy husband would get just what I wanted!!

I did hit the gym this morning for a 3.5 mile run which felt good. I had to push myself to go, but was so happy I went.

The house dream is moving forward. We applied for the loan so now we wait and see what we can afford. It's so exciting and scary at the same time!!

Now I need to get my butt in gear and get cleaning!!

What did you do for a workout today?

Do your parents/family live near you? How often do you see them?