SIMPLE and great!

Oh my, what a spectacular weekend in so many ways and now I get to relive it in this post.  The weather in Atlanta on both Saturday and Sunday was over the top fabulous.  Bright, bright blue sky.  NO humidity.  Prob in the mid 60's.  Perfect weather in every way.  Everyone in the city certainly thought so because the parks were PACKED; kids, strollers, dogs.....everywhere.  It was a very cool site. 

My Saturday was so very great; simple stuff but I loved it.  I started it off with my 9am BodyBlitz class @ Body Solutions and after had coffee w/my cuz.  Can't remember the last time I sat and had a leisurely cup of coffee w/a friend?!  Next up was boxing with Dan!  I'm not a fighter but love the boxing.  Then my fav lunch (chicken salad @ http://cafeatpharr.com/ - if you live in Atlanta and haven't tried it; run there quickly.  You will love it).  More visiting with my friends @ Dora Rae - these sisters are adorable and the jewelry....addicting.  Surprise visit to my neice @ her work followed by a mani and then new dinner favorite.....smoothie!  Now how @ that for a wonderful day!  Simple stuff and so much fun!

I woke Sunday to a beautiful, sunny morning but mucho on the tired side.  I had worked out for @ 2+ weeks straight and was gettin a little tired.  I decided to indulge in a lazy morning and was anxiously awaiting my noon massage!!!!  Every good massage for me is followed by a restful nap so that's how it went.  When I woke up I was so excited to see the beautiful weather remained so on went the running shoes and out the door I went for.............my SIX MILE RUN!!!!  Longest distance ever!  I did it and that's just the beginning!  My official half marathon training has started. 

What a great weekend.  Spent quality time with friends & relatives; had great workouts; new accomplishment - good times!  Really all quite simple. 

It's weigh in day.....

Yep, it's the official weigh in day @ Body Solutions.  I weigh every day @ home but that doesn't count.  However I think I've had a rockin week.  I'm ready for Body Solutions to open up so I can get the news.  I'm having a hard time waiting for the 9am class.  Impatient cause I'm feelin it. 

I've switched up some stuff this week & I think it's working!  Eating breakfast earlier (1 hour after getting up), killed the day long grazing (actually eating breakfast earlier has curbed the hunger during the day - hmmm), drinkin lots more water and eating my largest meal @ lunch w/a lighter din, din. I've also had an awesome cardio week plus some personal training mixed in. 

It feels so good to be back on track and focused.  I will feel even better when I see my results.  More on that tomorrow............!!!  I'm off to a great Saturday!!!  I hope you are too!!!

Do over....

awww as in MAKEOVER.  Yesterday was so much fun.  It was the final day of my WOW (work out weekend).  I trained with Dan @ 9am, followed by some cardio and a little socializing at the studio (I just can't call it a gym - it's so not). 


Sidebar: I'm back on the weight loss program.  Dan & I talked on Saturday, he helped me get focused and I'm going to nail this.  I've suffered from weight creep!  I'm getting these 10 lbs back off and getting back to my goal weight!!!

Back to yesterday....my friend, Stepanie @ (Plā) Beauty came to the studio so we could "(Plā)" with makeup.....for hours.  My studio bud, Christine,  and I tried all kinds of colors and learned cool tips!  Aha!  The tricks of the trade!!!  We had so much fun.  (Photo isn't from yesterday; no longer have that cut or color!!!  But here's Stephanie trying to do something with me several months ago.....it's a work in progress!) 

Following the workouts and  (Plā) Beauty fun, we were starving so we headed to what's come to be our post workout lunch place for some fish!  Yummy grilled fish.  The Ketch in Bhead if you live near! 

The last day of my WOW was so great - trained w/Dan (I love that!), cardio (don't love that but have to do it), (Plā)'d with makeup (love it but not good @ it), lunch (always LOVE to eat) and spending time with friends (LOVE that). 

Do over......SUCCESS!!!

The new haircut...

I got my hair cut (and colored) on Saturday and it may have turned out to be a dumb move......time will tell.  I love the cut; it's one part Annette Benning and one part Kramer (from Seinfeld). 

This cut is great when I can shower, shampoo & then fix it.  But.........sometimes, like today, I go straight to workout and shower after.  Right now it's looking more Kramer than Benning. 

There's nothing like "bad hair" so while I love this cut, I'm not sure how it's going to fit my schedule.  How dumb is that?  A haircut to fit your lifestyle!!! 

Nevertheless I'm headed to Body Solutions all Kramer.  Good thing Dan won't even notice the new color or cut.

Workin out today - old school

As I type this, I'm pretty much laughing as what do I know @ old school workouts?!  I've only been working out for almost two years.  Oh well, I guess you can consider any "yesterday" as old school....that's it for me.

My boxing gloves arrived, yippee!  After sitting @ home and on my tush for almost a week, this is workin out weekend (WOW).  Saturday am started with Body Blitz class.  Great total body workout - circuits...my favorite Body Solutions class.  Dan really worked us hard and the tush I'd been sittin on for a week is now pretty sore!!!!  Following BB, I trained with Dan and we boxed using my new gloves!  Dan first wrapped my hands w/the tape (I felt like such an athlete, haha) and then the new gloves.  I LOVE IT.  I'm addicted.

And now it's Sunday.....ready for a good old school workout.........a long run.  Only shoes required along with some layering cause I think it's pretty cold.  But no other gear - just me, my shoes & the road.  Think @ it.  There are lots of classes out there, all kinds of fancy equipment, etc - all designed to keep us movin, active, interested & varied and then there's just walkin and runnin - the cardio that's been done for years.  That'll be me today....followed by a relaxing mani/pedi!!! (now this is really ME!!!)

So today I'm putting down my gloves and picking up my feet.  Awwww!!!

My boxing gloves are held up in Nville!

...Inclement weather has interrupted the shipping of my boxing gloves.  Yep, I'm gettin my own pair. 

I started boxing with Dan @ 2-3 weeks ago and I love it!  I found a new passion for a great workout.  I thought it was going to help my upper body but my legs & butt seem to be benefiting too.  I'll take it.  Haha!!!

My only disappointment in the whole boxing thing is I wasn't able to get pink gloves.  Darn, I was hoping for pink.  I've learned that you purchase boxing gloves by ounces and the pink didn't come in the size I got.  Oh well, maybe I can spray paint them!!!!!!!!

Snow & Ice.... Day 3!

What started as snow and a beautiful, white blanket quickly turned to ugly ice.  Day 1 w/no work was good - stayed in my pj's, napped alot, read and as previously mentioned, my EATING was out of control. 

Then came Day 2..yesterday.  Much better!!!  I was sort of busy with work which kept my mind off eating and I finally took the long commute down on the elevator to my building gym.  It was packed!  I managed to get in @ an hour of good, revved up cardio.  Now we're talkin!  After the workout, I lost my interest in eating junk!  I wanted clean food!  What the what?!  Is eating better a byproduct of working out?! 

And now Day 3.  No more new snow but the streets are still icy.  The sun came out this morning (go Annie!) so let's hope, all will melt.  I have cabin fever!  I'm ready to get out of here!  Deciding if I'll venture to the office for a few hours and if Body Solutions is open, maybe I can sneak in a workout with Dan.  Now that would be a good Day 3. 

My last personal training session of 2010!

Another year, still 50 lbs lighter and SO much stronger!  It's unreal; I sometimes can't believe what I can do these days.  WooHoo - go me.

Well, I had my last training session with Dan yesterday.  Yep, there he is; coffee in hand and ready to torture.  Ahhhhhh.  I was a little sore going into the session from the prior workout....pushups! No sympathy from Dan; more like chuckles. 

Off we start, no clue what you call it but squats with the bar (& weights) behind your head, bent over rows, walking lunges and on we went for an hour.  Dan was in an awesome mood so it was really fun.  We laughed, I may have cried and laughed some more.  Another GREAT session. 

Because I'm new to all this or maybe because I'm a data junky or may because I'm jut crazy like this, when I compare the workouts from the beginning of the year to now.....OMG.  Is it really me?  I keep pushing or coaxing my body to new levels and my brain is keeping up with body. 

In 2011, (this isn't a NY resolution) I'm going to turn this around - my brain (I can DO this) is going to lead my body.  It's time for me to realize (and accept) I can do ANYTHING I really want to do.....in the gym, on the track, running a race or any other fitness goal.  I think (and read), the mental approach is as important as the physical.  So MENTAL here I come!!!!!

I'm in love.....

...well I wish it were of the romance kind but no such luck at the moment.  But along the way, I have recently fallen in love with.................BOXING! 

I had my first lesson with Dan.  As soon as I put on the pink gloves I knew this was for me.  I've watched my brothers bob & weave for years and finally it was me who was going to float like a butterfly & sting like a bee (thanks Mr. Ali).  I learned a few moves - 1/2, 3/4 and slip/swipe.  OMG, it was so much fun & a great workout.  I can't believe how energized I was from this session and I can't wait for the next one.  THIS is what working out should be like for sure. 

This stuff is still all so new to me but I think I LIKE IT.  This boxing thing fits my personality perfectly!!!!  What workouts fit your personality?  Hmmmmm..

Sometimes you need a little push....

Check out my guest post...........Sometimes you need a little push and support to achieve your weight loss goals

I missed them........

Lately, I've missed a number of things:

• Blogging for one - this is my first post in several days.  I've been crazy busy and that's a good thing so I'll save that for later.
• Richard Gere AND the Dalai Lama - both were staying at my hotel this past weekend and I missed seeing them both!  That would have been a cool sighting. 
• Pay phones - not sure if I've really missed them or not.  Memories of standing out in the rain or driving around looking for one.  I didn't know they were still around until running in NY last weekend and I saw a guy talking on one.  Stopped me dead in my tracks! 
• Fruit - man o man, never thought I'd say this (former fast food, junk food eater).  Came home late Sunday night to little to no food in the house and no time to get to Whole Foods this week.  I miss my apples and bananas!!
• Running - I missed the office run both Monday and Tuesday due to meetings.  I'm so happy and proud of the team who went w/o me.  Go Team!
• Dan workouts - never thought I'd say this either.  Missed sessions due to travel.  Ready to get back to it.  I miss Body Solutions. 
• Reading a good, fast, mindless book - The last one I read was Mary Higgins Clark's newest.  Got any recommendations?  Sitting on a plane again this weekend (and hopefully the beach) and really need a good read. 
• My mornings - time to myself to lollygag around! 

And now.....off to work.............

There's no place like home

As much as I love NYC and am always so sad to leave, I'm so happy to be home too.  You know travelling these days can be such a hassle.  The "rules" differ from airport to airport and it's frustrating.  I didn't fly much last year so I lost my FF status so I have to PAY FOR MY LUGGAGE.  That really pisses me off.  Oh well, whuch you gonna do. I'm certainly not staying home! 

We had a wonderful weekend.  One mishap that wasn't too bad....more scary than anything.  Literally my mom was almost run over by one of the metal food carts.  The guy was pushing it back to where they go at the end of the day and he and it came charging across the crosswalk just at the same time my mom was crossing.  He screamed and fortunately he jumped in front of the cart with all his weight to stop/brace it from crashing into my mom.  She got bumped, not bad, but shook her up.  Once we got that out of the way on Thursday night, all else was wonderful. 

The weather was spectacular.  It was so much fun.  We mostly hung out, strolled the streets & Central Park, ate, drank, laughed, saw good theater and of course, worked out.  Last night I took my mom to a raw food restaurant.  She's a trooper and loved it.  It was interesting for sure.  We hung out with friends and had a wonderful weekend. 

Back home now and very excited.  Tomorrrow is the Day of Beauty.  Up early and out the door.  I'm in charge of stuffing goody bags! 

The best part @ being back home is sleeping in my own bed!!!  Isn't that crazy.  We get so used to our own "stuff."  I love it too.  Signing off now for a busy week. 

Oh, I was really bad, bad with my eating this weekend.  I don't know what got into me.  I paid for it too - a few upset stomachs.  Guess I'm out of practice.  Hmmmm, curious what the scale will say tomorrow.  Oh well, I'm back at it once again.  All's well that ends well. 

My role model (mom) turns 88....

WooHoo.  She's turning 88 and I can hardly keep up with her!  My mom and I are spending a weekend in NYC to celebrate Mom's Day, her birthday and all other happy occasions we can come up with. 

We arrived Thursday afternoon.  My hotel of choice went over the top this time - PENTHOUSE - 2 BEDROOM SUITE upgrade. 

If that isn't enough, we arrived at the suite to find a veggie platter, cheese platter, 3 platters of SWEETS and a bottle of champagne.  How cool is this?!  Mind you, my mom is wondering how did I pull this off and perhaps I'm a secret Rock Star or something.  Nope none of that, just fortunate to have nice friends.....in the hotel biz!

Our first evening we attended a charity dinner and theater - The Addams Family with Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth.  It was entertaining enough and just looking at Nathan Lane's face keeps me laughing.  Today we have a full day planned - workout, lunch, museum, dinner & theater again with friends. Tomorrow is another full day - workout (every day of course - mom's a fan of the tmill and bike!), outdoor art/craft show, more museums and dinner @ a veggie restaurant I hear is fabulous.  Short day on Sunday of working out, lunch and home. 

The weather is spectacular.  Hear it's even forecasted to reach the 80's tomorrow.  No matter, it won't get in our way.  We are two girls on a mission to have a great time in NYC!  Like mother, like daughter!!!!!

It's heatin up out there........

Not sure where you live but here in the South (Atlanta) it reached close to 90 yesterday.  That's hot considering we went from about 60-70 straight to 90 degrees.  The forecast calls for some rain tomorrow and then some spring-like weather for the balance of the week.  It is beautiful although very YELLOW. 

The annual invade of the YELLOW stuff - yep, POLLEN.  It appeared within an hour one day and now we are covered up.  Yesterday while running, we saw what appeared to be a dust storm ahead - the stuff was blowing off the bldg roofs and man o man!  I am SO fortunate to not be too bothered by this and I feel for those with allergies.  I have my calendar marked for March 2011 - start with bee propolis every day!!!

Even with the heat and yucky yellow stuff, yesterday was a healthy day for me!  My eating was right on, I journaled everything and I ran/walked my 1.5 miles in 18 minutes.  I'm starting over and that was my goal so I'm pleased.  I started back my workouts with Dan last night (took a week off).  OMG, I don't think I've sweat that much ever.  It was a great workout - I loved it.  Stairs first - didn't beat my 3.03 time but I did OK.  Quickly followed by jump squats, then inside for pull ups, dead lifts, cleans, bent over rows, military presses and snatches!  Wow! And of course followed by my all time favorite.............the STRETCH! 

A friend just joined Body Solutions and I bumped into her last night too.  That was fun.  I'm not sure I'm a large group exercise person but I love to run or workout with a couple people so call me a small groupie. 

Today is my day off from exercising.  I'm looking forward to the one shower day.  Having 50th birthday lunch with my sister-in-law and dinner with friends.  Another great day ahead........

TGIF (Friday not Fiber!)........

Yeah, it's almost the weekend.  I'm in town and NO plans except being the list person I am, I have a million and one things I want to do.  The past few weeks, I've had some really incredibly stimulating experiences/learnings and now I'm obsessed (I tend to do that) with learning more.

• Twitter - I want to figure this out. I met Sweet Tater at FitBloggin and she sent me a Tweetorial.  The Chic Fit has been sending me Tweets and checking in on me which is so sweet. 
• Essential Oils - Ever since I met Bianca @ IIN, I've been totally absorbed in learning more @ EO, how to use them, what they can do, etc.  I ordered a Desk Reference and a "starter" set of 9 essential oils.  I hope they deliver fast.  This week, I started using Bianca's new oil - Arganica, which launches on Earth Day.  It is AMAZING so far.  I'm so excited for her!
• The closet - the heat came upon us quickly this week and it's time to change out the closet.  Especially my workout clothes.  The long pants gotta go.  This means a shopping trip to Lucy and Lululemon cause I don't have any shorts in the new me size.  That will be fun! 
• 10 miles - I think this is the week!  I've run 6 miles so far this week.  2 more today with my co-worker and I plan to run at least 2 on Saturday. 
• And the list goes on and on........The weather forecast is spectacular so I'm really excited for a great weekend!!

FitBloggin 2010 and many firsts........

I had a great weekend in Baltimore.  The weather was spectacular and our hotel was on the water.  FitBloggin started with a Pom-tini social on Friday night.  I met some great people.  Young crowd.  Two girls said they'd for sure get me tweeting.  It was a must.  (I could see I had lots to learn this weekend).  Hung out a little and then split the social and went to the hotel bar, had a few vodkas and........nachos.  First time in over a year and guess what - nachos made me sick as a dog that night.  I watched GA Tech beat OK.  That was cool and it was a good night. 

Saturday morning came very early.  6:30 we gathered for the 5K sponsored by New Balance.  All that registered were given a pair of New Balance shoes and shorts.  I wore my shoes because the PR guy said they would change my life.  No such luck but they were comfortable.  These women (99% of participants) could run, serious runners.  I began the run w/another girl from Indiana.  We kept the same pace until I dropped off @ mile 1.  She kept going - yea you!  I walked for a couple minutes and started running again and did this for the 3 miles or whatever a 5K ends up being.  I was the last runner to finish but I FINISHED.  My first 5K ever!  At the end there was a great group of girls cheering for everyone.  That was really sweet of them.  A couple walkers finished behind me and I waited to cheer them on too. 

Had a Starbucks and some fruit and quick to shower as FitBloggin was about to start.  I went to some interesting sessions - SEO, how to pitch to traditional media and how to get published.  I'm not ready for any of these at the moment but the knowledge was valuable and opened my eyes. 
During lunch I connected with two great, great girls/females/women - whatever, all the same to me.  This was the best part of the weekend.  I learned so much from one who's a nutrition counselor and doing some really wonderful things in coaching/counseling and boot camps and another talented PR professional.  She and I really connected on so many things; it was alot of fun chatting.  The day came to a close and I passed on the Jello social and headed outside.  I'd been watching the beautiful day through the windows and I had to get out there.  I walked for quite a while and then settled for dinner at Cinghiale, really terrific Italian.  What a treat and I made much better choices than the nachos of the previous night. 

Sunday morning, I RAN again, on my own.  It was so beautiful but the running was still tough.  I went @ 1 1/4 miles this time.  I've been thinking @ this today.  When I ran with my co-workers @ 11am, I did much better.  I think 1st thing in the am may not be my best.  I'm going to test time of day and see.

The flight home was uneventful except for bumpy, bumpy. I guess that's because it was overcast and raining when we landed in Atlanta.  Ugh!  I went straight to my workout with Dan.  It was a great one.  Upper body and a whole lot of sweatin. 

They say all good things must come to an end.........not really.  Now I'm home and I get to sleep in my wonderful bed tonight.  So the good keeps coming......

It's time to weigh in and it ain't going to be pretty......

This past week, under the "I'm not feeling good," I abandoned most of my basics; good health habits and choices I developed during my weight loss journey and over the last year.  I hardly ate any veggies the whole week.  I ate only a of couple apples; I always have an apple in my handbag.   I ate way too many sandwiches - PB, egg salad, cheese - whatever I could put between 2 slices of bread.  My protein was so/so - not great - no chicken, turkey once and that was last night, no fish - I guess mostly eggs now that I think @ it!  I didn't workout except for yesterday so I cut back my food intake thinking that would offset the no workouts.

Everyone has a bad week, right?  Now as I sit having my am coffee, getting ready to go for my weekly weigh in, I'm thinking @ what was so wrong with the week.  How come I didn't lose any weight?

1. From my home scale I stayed the same - which is 2.5 lbs up from my goal weight.  But I ate less?!
2. I DIDN'T JOURNAL ANYTHING this past week so I really can't recall what I ate.  Ugh, I haven't mentioned anything @ the ice cream and all the nuts I ate.  Nuts are good for you but high in calories!  Cheese, the "it's not a diet food."  May have gone over on that too.  Ooooh what did I eat that I can't remember?  Oh yea, Dots yesterday but only 2 mini boxes. 
3. I don't think I ate enough this past week.  Not small, more frequent meals like I typically eat. But I wasn't exercising so was that still necessary?!
4. Outside of Sun-Tues, I didn't drink enough H2O.  I know I didn't yesterday cause I have a hangover today and I had no alcohol last night.  When I don't drink enough water, this happens to me. 

Oy!  What a week and this is only what I remember.   OK, Ethel Merman I need you NOW......starting here.........starting now!  The sun is out today (we've had nothing but rain for the last 4 days) and it's going to be beautiful weather.  I still don't feel so great but today's a new day.  I'm headed to Body Solutions to weigh in (miracle? miracle?) and workout with Dan.  I have a busy weekend planned with lots of great stuff packed in so I'll start over today!  Dust off my journal, slice my apple and throw it all in my bag. 

It's a rainy night in Georgia........

Make that a snowy March day!  The weather folks (plus Sandy & Yvonne) got it right!  The "wintry mix" started this am and it's still going.  Schools are either closed or closing early and I expect the entire city is going nuts @ now. 

I'm working from home today so not mixed up in all that traffic stuff.  But......OMG working from home!  HOW do you NOT eat everything in site?!  It's not even noon yet and I've already had yogurt/cereal/blueberries PLUS 1/2 peanut butter sandwich and pop chips.  If I keep this up, I can't even imagine how many calories I'll consume today.  I'm trying hard to turn to water, at least for now.  For those that work from home, any tricks?  Tips?  Please help me so I don't overload today and blow the week I've started.  I'm off to a good start this week with my eating and exercise.  I leave again for NY in a couple days and that's always challenging to me...especially when they put down the bread basket.  I LOVE BREAD!!!

I haven't updated in a while on my weight loss status so here goes......I'm working hard to keep off the 50 lbs I lost.  So far, I've kept it off for 6 months and counting.  Maintaining isn't so easy.  Much harder than I expected but I think I'm doing well.  What really helps me a ton is I've kept up my workouts with Dan and cardio on my own.   I never thought I'd live to say this but I really love working out with a personal trainer.  It is so cool to see that I can do things I could NEVER do months ago.  Little things that may not mean anything to anyone else, but I like it.  My cardio is still going well.  I'm off machines mostly (elliptical, stairmaster) and taken it to the streets (when the weather cooperates).  I'm running and working towards a 5K minus the Clydesdale clomping.  When will I / will I ever be "light on my feet?"  Ooooooooooh I hope so.  In the meantime, I'm clomping @ 2 miles with some walking in between.  I'm going to take that down and work on 1 1/2 miles with NO stopping then who knows..........5K here I come.  Sign me up!!!!

Let it snow, let it snow......

We had snow in Atlanta today!  Maybe the blizzard of 2010.  (Checkout the nighttime view from my balcony). Quite a bit actually for a southern snow and it's still coming down.  So so pretty and quiet.  The city began shutting down (offices and schools closing) about lunchtime in anticipation of the snow. This time they predicted right and it came right on schedule.  At least my coworker, a total weather bug, predicted right.  A couple of us were busy @ work on a project so we stayed. 

At the end of the day, I headed to Body Solutions for my regular workout with Dan.  Now was I crazy?  Everyone I know was at home, safe & sound.  The roads I travelled were OK and I had no traffic so I think I made a good call with not cancelling my workout.  Part of what was driving me is I weigh in tomorrow and really needed that workout.  Plus we've had such crappy weather all week, we've not been able to run so I feel like a blimp. 

It was a great workout but I still am having problems jumping!  51 years old and can't really jump off a bench and land w/o a huge thud!  Tonight we did jump squats, mountain climbers, push ups, dead lifts, step ups and those jumps I mentioned.  It was all really great and followed by the stretch, my favorite! 

Today was a great FAT FREE anniversary day.  So one year and still going.  Tomorrow morning's workout begins year TWO. 

Role models

Are you "lucky" in life to have a wonderful role model?  If it's luck then I'm one of the "lucky" ones.  My role model will turn 88 in June.  She was born in Charleston, SC; one of four children.  She moved to Gator Country (Gville, FL) to marry and raise four kids.  She's hysterical, fun, strong, independent and oh yea, bossy!  

This woman has the richest life of anyone I've ever met or known.  She lives EVERY DAY to its fullest and looks for joy in everything and everybody.  Her social life can't be matched; she's always on the go.  Don't get in the way of her love of bridge - she plays 3-4 times/week and tournaments.  She doesn't miss an exercise day; 4 times each week - treadmill, bike, weights, water aerobics, yoga and whatever the trainers recommend.  Going with her to the grocery store is an outing; she reads every label and steers clear of sugar, fat, calories - you name it. 

This lady has been incredibly influential in my life, during my weight loss journey and always.  She is in excellent health, has a sharp mind and is MY MOM.   How lucky am I?!?!