As Beautiful Outside

Sidelined

2012-05-08T18:07:00.002-07:00

Ughghh.... I was just beginning to really like my 40 - 60 minutes with tyrant Shaun T and all his

I have officially been side-lined. After some severe pain in my knee and the recommendation of my primary care physician, I went to an Orthopedist. There is severe swelling in my knee and I am to give it a rest and take anti-inflammatory medication for the next there weeks. . . .

So, what I am I allowed to do? ... I can use an elliptical (don't have one of those), or ride a stationary bike (nada on this one as well), or walk (as long as I avoid inclines).

I guess I best get to steppin'!!!

Boy-isms

2012-05-02T17:22:00.002-07:00

We all know kids say the funniest things. Their perspective on life is awe-inspiring, humbling & sometimes hysterical!

Here is my most recent boy-ism:

(I have to preface the following story by telling you another "boy-ism" story first. We are a blended family. Our boys have known each longer then they haven't. I am not big on labels so,... we let the boys decide how they wanted to define their relationship on their own. At the age of 3, they started calling each other "brudder-friends". We loved it and it's stuck!)

My boys and I were headed to a family birthday picnic and my lil man quips to me that he misses his Daddy. I told him he had just come back from his Dad's and he says he knows, but that he wishes he could live with Daddy everyday. (Deep breath. Deep breath.) I respond by saying he would hardly ever get to see Mommy or his "Brudder-friend" if he lived just at Daddy's. Before I can even finish, I am interrupted by, "No! I mean, I wish we could all live together all the time!" This is a conversation we have had before, and the first time my son realized this wasn't going to happen, there was a river a tears. I sigh and say, "Honey, we've had this conversation before." ... There is a pause and a noticeable amount of maturity in his voice when he says, "I know, I know. You and Daddy got devoured... " .... Let's just say, I was laughing so hard I almost had to pull over.

Public Service Announcement : Speed Demons

2012-04-26T15:56:00.000-07:00

Let the randomness ensue;
okay, so maybe it's the fact that my muscle aches have their own aches (Day 3 of Round 2 of Insanity), or the rain, or the whine coming from one of the children, or the annoyance of work politics ... but this is my public service announcement for the day:

If you are driving on a major interstate and you fly up behind me and begin flashing your headlights like a maniac even though I am already driving at about 7 mph Over the speed limit; what is it that you think will happen next? Do you really think that driving 15-20 mph over the speed limit will get you to your destination faster, or more specifically, be cost-effective? Hmmm,... let's make this multiple choice, shall we?

I will adjust my rear-view mirror to deflect the light
I will continue at my current speed
I will continue in my current lane given the fact that their is either (A) no where to move to and/or (B) I am already traveling at a speed in excess of the posted speed limit
I will not see you behind me because I am driving a van and you are driving any type of smaller vehicle and you have come up so quickly behind me and I now am completely unaware that you are behind me because you are practically kissing my bumper and I can not see your headlights
You will continue to be annoyed and, quite possibly, cause a collision or run into me because of your continual "GUN IT --- Breaking!!" style of driving while practically attached to my bumper, in which case, this particular day will cost you way more then either of us could calculate, not excluding the possibility of fatality.

--------------------------------------- OR ---------------------------------------

6. Any Combination of ALL OF THE ABOVE!!

Seriously people, slow down and be smart!!!!

Being as I drive for a living (over 1500 miles/week), I have a whole slew of pet peeves about driving, but that's a whole different blog post.... What are your biggest pet peeves about driving?

Round Two

2012-04-24T19:14:00.000-07:00

If at 1st you don't succeed, dust your kester off and go Again!

Okay, Okay, so I haven't been the greatest at this blog. And, my work-out routine has suffered as well. So, here we go....

This is day two of round two. Round One was never completed due to some life complications and restrictions. But, I can tell you one thing for sure; my "failed" round one was no failure for two simple reasons - 1: I got back up! & 2: I can do a whole lot more of the work-out this time around! As one of my fellow coach likes to say, my fat is crying!!!!

...and now my muscles are aching. But it is such a good burn!

We're Everywhere!!!!

2011-06-03T17:54:00.000-07:00

I love this company!!!!!

Superfoods For Your Good Health: MyFoxLA.com

Letter to the Family Diet Saboteur (Reader Favorite from DTBMULF.com)

2011-05-14T07:10:00.000-07:00

So, I follow a few blogs myself because everyone needs encouragement from time to time {monthly, weekly, daily, hourly, what-have-you} and I want to share with you one of my absolute favorite posts from Rebecca Regnier at Does This Blog Make Us Look Fat?

I encourage you to check out their site and to utilize their totally cool printables!

http://doesthisblogmakeuslookfat.com/2010/07/28/letter-to-the-family-diet-saboteur-reader-favorite/

Summer Slim-Down Challenge - Day 10

2011-05-10T19:03:00.000-07:00

Ok, seriously, there is nothing more humbling, depressing & motivating then watching yourself work-out in a mirror! I seriously cried about 1/2 way through my work out. But I didn't give up. I am bound and determined that, each and every day, my reflection will improve and change until I am just as beautiful outside!

I am on day 10 of my Summer Slim-Down Challenge. Today was the 1st day I "doubled up" on work outs. After doing this 2nd work-out, my Shakeology 30 Work-Out, with a mirror handy, today certainly won't be the last day I double up!

whether you're havin' fun or not...

2011-05-02T00:51:00.000-07:00

Wow! Time sure flies, whether you're havin' fun or not!!!!

I am so sorry guys, not only did I let you down, but I also let myself down. Admittedly, my life has been verging on INSANE for quite some time, but I am tired of that being my excuse for putting my health, my fitness, my self at the end of the list.

I have accept and started a new Challenge. The type where you post your Day 1 pixs, gasp, on day one! Yea, lemme tell you, THAT'S some motivation! So,... here we go!

Foodie! - Shakeology Challenge: Day 18 of 21

2011-02-25T10:09:00.000-08:00

SOooo,... yesterday was kinda a flop in the food department b/c I didn't get to come home for my "lunch" break and I was starving!!!! Today, I am totally prepared!

Clockwise from left: Carrotts and Celery sticks with Hummus, Chocolate Banana PP2 Shakeology, Salad, Celery Sticks & Pink Lady Apple. Not pictured, I have 64 oz of water, which is standard.

My Salad: Spinich & Spring Greens, Celery, Green Pepper, 1 Swiss Mushroom Boga Burger, a little bit of fat-free Feta Cheese and a few sprays of dressing.

The Hardest Lesson of Forgiveness - Day 17 of 21

2011-02-24T09:29:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you, but for me.... I am way harder on myself then I am on ANYONE else! Sometimes I forget that that is why I am so angry/b*tchy/crappy/contrary and I take it out on others,... which is not cool. But the truth of the matter is; I am mad at myself -- knock down, drag out, ass kickin' mad! Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, we can't do that to ourselves... so, instead, we take it out on others. I've been thinking about this for a few days and, serendipitously, my good friend Lee posted this on face book today, ...

"Without forgiveness life is governed by... an endless cycle of resentment and retaliation."

When I started my 21 day Shakeology Challenge, I knew I was aiming high. I did so on purpose. My life is a bit insane right now on so many fronts and this was, at this point, just adding one more thing. I intend for this to be a lifestyle and a habit from here on out though,... so might as well aim high early! ... Well, I "fell off the horse" .... And I was mad at myself. And then I was mad at my boyfriend. And then I was mad at work. ... And pretty soon I was just miserable. TOTALLY NOT COOL. So, today, I set my alarm to an ungodly hour, only hit the snooze once,... and then got up and pushed play!

I considered "scrapping" this challenge and starting over so I could do it "right", or perfect... but I've decided not to because life doesn't happen that way. I am on day 17 of 21. I have exercised only a handful of days out of those 17,.. this I can not change. But what I have done consistently all 21 days is have a chocolate Shakeology meal replacement. ... I am very proud of this because, even with "falling off the horse" and not making the best possible food choices... I still am down 2 1/2 lbs! Yay Shakeology and look out DVD player,.... you're about to get a lot more use!

Shakeology Challenge: Day 3 of 21

2011-02-10T23:47:00.000-08:00

It has been an emotionally and mentally exhausting day and I should be sleeping but I just needed to let everyone know that I did indeed do my day 3 workout!

Shakeology Challenge: Day 2 of 21

2011-02-09T22:19:00.000-08:00

Okay, I seriously should be sleeping but I just have to get this out! Today {err,.. technically yesterday, but I haven't been to bed yet} was day 2 of my personal 21 day Shakeology Challenge. Today was my 1st day of cardio in this challenge. So, I got up and took care of the kidlet; made sure he was dressed, feed and dropped off at school. Upon return to home, I grabbed my workout clothes, a bottle of water, my pedometer and a hooded sweater, because it's down-right freezing here! Out the door I go with a 30 minutes goal of mostly jogging, if I can handle it. Hmmm,... 5 minutes in and I'm cold. The wind is whipping all around. 10 minutes in and I'm freezing; it really feels like the biting wind is blowing right through me!... At this point, I'm a good 1/2 mile from the house, so I turn around for a return trip. The return trip didn't take nearly as long and I'm only 15 minutes into my 30 minute target time. ... What to do? What to do? ... I really miss the days when I had access to a treadmill 24/7, but alas, that is no longer the case! I go inside and grab a tissue because the cold has my nose running, .. but I don't stop moving. I kid you not, I am in the bathroom marching in place as I blow my nose! I really don't want to bail on my 1st day of cardio but it is just too cold for me outside. My solution: I start walking a figure eight between my living room, dining room and kitchen. Now, this is where it gets interesting and funny! ....
My sweet dog, a lab-mutt, becomes very concerned and starts to bark and "lunge" at me. He thinks something is wrong and he wants me to sit down. I keep pushing him out of the way. He then follows me around like a Thanksgiving Day Parade for a few round of my figure eight and I can't help but giggle. Then, he stops following and stand directly at the cross-point of my figure eight, turning to face and watch me as I go round... After a minute or two of this, he places himself a little more out of the way and sits down, head raised and ears back. A few more minutes go by and he lays his body down but keeps his head up, watching me. The last few minutes of my 30 minutes, he decides to lay his head on his paws and simple raises an eyebrow as I pass him....
So, I foroze in the cold, had to come in to blow my nose and still managed to finish my cardio. But, most importantly, my dog gave me the perfect example of how most of your friends and family will behave when you start your quest for a healthier life! At first they may be completely baffled by your actions and try to stop you with good intentions: "Oh, be careful hon, don't over-exert, don't hurt yourself" , or some other "well-intended" comment or remark that may prevent you from continuing. DON'T LET IT! And when you don't quit, they may "follow" you, either to deter you or to encourage you. If it is encouragement, enjoy it! But if it is determent, just remember that they will lose interest, and soon they will be sitting close by. They will still be watching you, but they won't be badgering you and, if they were encouraging you to begin with, they may be silent now. No matter the reason for their silence, use it as fuel for your determination! Before you know it, you will be on a well-established path of healthy living and they will still be lying around and "watching" .... So, my point is, no matter where you are in your health and fitness when you start; don't let others get in the way of your goals! Getting to your "final" goal will undoubtedly take longer then you'd like, but it really truly begins by simply putting one day, one work out, in after the other and stepping around those who would stand in your way!

Shakeology Challenge: Day 1 of 21 PICTURES

2011-02-09T10:24:00.000-08:00

As promised, here are Day One pixs of my 21 day Shakeology Challenge!

Shakeology Challenge: Day 1 of 21

2011-02-08T09:49:00.000-08:00

Okay, so here we go!!! I have decided that February is MY month and I am going to be my own Valentine! So I am doing a three week Shakeology challenge. I will replace one meal a day with a shake and I will work out every day of the week. I will use my totally awesome Shakeology workouts 3 – 4 times a week and I will do some form of cardio on the alternating days. Additionally, I will be tracking my weight and progress with measurements and pictures and taking note of my own personal energy level.

Today was day one and I did the Shakeology 30 minute work out. I will post some day one pictures for you either later tonight or first thing tomorrow ( I want a full body shot and there is no one here to take the pixs for me right now ~ lol )

I would love you to follow my progress, in fact, I encourage, no, request you do!!! Please? Changing and making new habits is often fueled by accountability! So, see you tomorrow!

Christmas Day 2010 with my Inspiration, my son!

2011-01-30T23:24:00.000-08:00

My 1st Ever Blog on Blogspot!

2011-01-30T23:21:00.000-08:00

Okie Dokie.... This is new and different and I want to figure it all out Right Now!!!! I'm a lil impatient like that, but it's all good, it will come together!