This One's for the Girls and Dream Big

Listen to the lyrics of the song...it's very uplifting.  Remember:  YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL THE WAY YOU ARE!!!

Dream Big ladies....hear the lyrics...stop letting others determine your worth!!!

Blogging, FB and stuff

This has been on my mind for awhile...I think it is time I write a blog about it. 

This blog is my journey for a healthier me...it is also the place where I vent...and say what's on my mind.  This is the ONLY place that I discuss my weight loss and all of my other issues associated with my lap band.  I do not discuss my journey on FB.  I do post when I'm working out...but that is just so that I stay accountable to my cousins.  Besides the people who live in my house only 2 of my family members know about my surgery.  Only 3 of my 4 closest friends know about my surgery.  I don't share this with everyone.  I'm not ashamed...but it just ain't their business.

With that being said...after BooBS last year I become FB friends with many of those who attended.  In doing so I also become FB friends with many other bloggers.  That is about to change!! 

I will be making some adjustments to my FB friends list.  This is not to say that I do not love each of you.  However, this is something I need to do to keep balance in my life.  This blog is my safe place.  It is the place I can go and say any and everything.  I don't want to worry about someone bringing that into my world of social media.  I hope that you are not offended by this...but it is what it is. 

Other stuff...working out is getting fun again.  Who the heck knew that could happen?  Monday night I attended a Zumba class (the first in ages) with my Sisters Tri-ing group.  It was a blast.  The instructor didn't really excite me but it was nice to get it in with the ladies.  I refer to them as my "real" athletic friends...because I am not.  These women are competing in triathlons and duathlons, marathons and iron woman races.  I love these chicks.  They inspire me to be better.  This Saturday I will work our FUNraiser.  I would actually run, but I'm only staying for a bit, because I'm taking my first Bikram (hot) Yoga class later in the morning.  I'm looking forward to the yoga.  I actually purchased a groupon for 10 classes.  The class on Saturday I'm taking with my running group Black Girls Run.  Look at me being social.  LOL

Well that is all for now.

Healthy living is so much fun

Living a healthy lifestyle is so much fun.  Everything is easier.  This is NOT about the number on the scale or the size of my clothes.  This is about getting out and living life to the fullest.  This is about having more energy to dedicate to my children.  This is about not being afraid to try new things...or go back to doing the things you once did before you let being unhealthy overtake your life.

I'm loving this healthy life...from the top of my head to the soles of my feet.

Do you naturally

Well that is what I'm going to do.  I have decided that since I'm working out 5 times a week, I'm going to let go of the creamy hair crack and get back to my roots.

I'm sure this is going to be a long transition as I'm not sure I want to do the BC (big chop).  I have a consultation on Saturday with a natural hairstylist who specializes in healthy natural hair.  I'm looking forward to what this latest adventure has to offer.

I've hit an all time low on the scale.  Not a big deal...however, I'm really excited about the way my clothes are fitting these days.  That is a HUGE deal.

I hope everyone has an amazing weekend.

Never give up

No matter what obstacle you are facing...never give up.  You can do anything...just put one foot in front of the other.
http://news.uk.msn.com/articles.aspx?cp-documentid=161322894

Bionic woman completes marathon

Fill and fitness

WOW...I can actually feel my fill.  That is a first for me.  I mean I literally had to do liquids today after a stuck episode with a Excedrin migraine and two bites of food.  User error.  The thing is I have never had to chew, chew, chew or take sips.  Because I never "felt" anything.  Well darling I'm here to tell you I'm feeling it.  So no more gulping water for me.  One of my favorite activities.  I will take my time.  Oh yeah I have a PSA.  NEVER GET A FILL THE SAME DAY YOUR CYCLE STARTS!!!  Holy hell.  I have TOM tights and a new fill level.  Ha' mercy!!!

As you all know I've been running.  Tonight I had a revelation.  I'm lazy.  I run the same route everyday...and I stop in walk in the same spots each time.  Not because I'm tired or my lungs need to rest...but because I'm lazy.  I can run longer, I can run further and I just stop.  I guess I was so used to taking those breaks at certain points that I never stopped to reevaluation the situation. 

Tomorrow I will push myself harder...further...I will meet my goals.

Newsflash...I AM GOING TO TRAIN FOR A HALF-MARATHON.  Yup...that is what I said.  If the good Lord is will and the creek don't rise I'm going to run the princess half next year.  We shall see. 

Oh yeah...my love for milk (maybe dairy) must end.  It looks like I am becoming lactose intolerant.  This is a sad, sad moment in time.  However, I'm going to try chocolate soy milk.  I want to start drinking chocolate milk after my workouts...so soy it will be.

Well that is all for now....until next time.

I'm not getting my e-mails...fill day

I HATE this new blogger format.  I don't know what happened. but my comments are no longer coming to me via email...very irritating.  So I'm not ignoring you...I'm just trying to figure this crap out.

So today was fill day.  I have not had a fill since November.  I cancelled every appointment until today.  I have been HONGRY!!  Like eat a small goal hongry.  So I decided it was fill time.  I received .3 cc's in my band which puts me a whopping 8 cc's in my 10 cc band.  I hope this keeps my weight going down.

Ummm...yeah that is all.  I need to go to bed. 

Looking good and feeling fine

Good Monday morning!!!

This is the start of a new week.  That means letting go of the mistakes or disappointments from last week and moving on to better things.

I for one am moving on to exercise.  Last week there was none.  Seriously...NONE!!  I was busy making moves.  I don't regret my decision not to exercise.  This week I will make it happen at least 5 days. 

My focus right now is on my fitness.  Yes, food is very important...however, for me...fitness is of the utmost importance.  I'm considering taking a bikram yoga class twice a week.  I just need to find a studio that will best fit my needs.  This will be my first foray into yoga...but I look forward to the challenge and hopefully the stress relief.  I will also keep taking my body pump class.  I'm only taking this once a week usually and twice every other week.  It's a great class.  My major form of exercise is my running.  Monday through Friday my feet will hit the pavement.

I promise to do better at blogging.  I hope everyone has a fantabulous week!!!

Just when I thought I was out...

Friday night I went to my stiletto fitness class (pictures to come).  It was a blast.  However, I think I may have dropped it a little too low in my 6 inch heels, because I screwed up my knee.  My left knee is out of commission.  Nothing serious, but I have to give it a rest.  Which sucks, because I was in my running groove.  However, I would rather take a break than risk something more serious happening.

So no running...no body pump...just plain ole walking.  So Friday morning after my glorious run I want to get some errands completed.  Well I had my fitbit attached (or so I thought).  I dropped it in my driveway.  I didn't realize this until I returned home.  I had already ran it over by then. It was a goner.  I immediately logged on and ordered another and paid for overnight shipping. It was at my house when I arrived home yesterday.  So happy to have it back.  OMG...did you see the new Nike Fuel band?  I'm such a sucker for gadgets.  I swear they make this stuff just for me...because you know I want it.

Last night I entered my own personal hell on earth...I tried on bathing suits.  Keep in mind...I have not worn a bathing suit since I was 12.  I remember it vividly because my aunt was graduating from college and I needed cute bathing suits for her pool party.  Ugh!!!  Needless to say I was traumatized last night.  Each actually looked cute on me...well according to my mom and some random stranger.  I put them in the cart and even made it to the check out line.  But that was as far as they went.  I decided against them.  So I get to do this torture again this weekend.  Fun times  NOT!!!!

In other news...I finally remember to pack a Monday bag.  A Monday bag is a great idea.  I got this information from non other than LBG.  Check out her post here.  My Monday bag contained 2 containers of 2.5 oz filets of Tilapia, 2 containers of 3 oz. of chicken breast, 2 containers of broccoli, 2 containers of qunoia "fried rice", and some other stuff I can't remember right now.  I think it is an excellent idea.  If you are looking for ways to make it through the week.  I suggest getting a Monday bag.

I hope every has a great week!!!

It's my Friday

This is my short week.  Thank goodness...because I'm ready for the weekend!!

Last night's run was 2.05 miles.  Not bad.  Not great on time...but I finished.  Tonight is a run night as well.  I have no other plans.  Cook dinner, clean the bathroom, put kids to bed and then run...all by 8 pm.  I think I'm going to do a morning run tomorrow...just to get it out of the way.  Plus tomorrow night is my Sexy Stiletto fitness class. I can't wait.  I have the perfect shoes.  I promise there will be pictures. 

My triceps are still on fire following 2 days of body pump.  Seriously...stop the madness...it's like they are screaming...burn baby burn!!

This weekend my mom and I along with my 3 brats are going to drive to Houston and go to the aquarium.  I'm looking forward to it.  Plus I get to go to one of my favorite stores...Ash.ley.Ste.war.t!!!  Yippie.

Tuesday

BP was torture yesterday.  It could be the fact that my arms were still shaking from the Monday night class.  Note to self: never go to body pump 2 days in a row.

After I made it through that pain I went home and snuggled with my kids before they went to bed.  The plan was to run immediately after putting the kids to sleep...but I was HONGRY!!!  So instead I sat down and had some dinner.  This resulted in NO RUN for Tuesday.  I'm not bummed out about it...because I just got to lay around with Charles and watch a little t.v.

I will make up for my Tuesday run on Friday.  I will run early Friday morning and again that night. 

I'm still saying away from the scale.  I take it out everyday...but I just stare at it.  Yes...I'm strange...so what!

You must be crazy...

Yes I'm talking to you...the people who love exercise.  Because no matter how much or how often I do it...I would rather be sleep.  I'm just saying. 

I got in a great workout last night at BP...my arms were shaking after.  When I finally made it home (bad grocery store experience) I went for my run.  2 miles.  I didn't love it...but I did it.  I was totally pissed when I ran into a spider web.  Gross!!

Tonight will be a repeat of BP and running.  Yippie...not!! 

I'm just a little irritable...I didn't sleep well last night.  Because if I'm honest...I felt great after both my workouts...and I can't wait to do it again.  I don't love exercise....never will...I do love the feeling of power and success I get after I complete my goals.  So here is to meeting goals.

Smooches!!!

Let the games begin!!!

Okay...I really need to read another book so I can get the Hunger Games out of my head.  As you know last week I was a running fool (gotta love that movie).  I ran a total of 4 times last week.  I was scheduled to run 5 times, but it didn't happen.  However, this is much better than the week before when I didn't run at all.

This week I have a goal of 5 again.  I also have 2 BP (body pump) classes and a sexy stiletto dance class.  So that is my workout schedule for the week.  Going to make sure that the food is whole and nutritious (well except for that slice of german chocolate cake with cream cheese icing) I plan on having with dinner tomorrow.  Other that that...whole and healthy.  I also need to work on getting all of my watter in on the days when I'm not at work.  Weekends are rough with water and food.  I'm busy...who has time to eat right. 

Oh well...May the odds eva be in your favor this week!!!

I was RUNNING!!

If you didn't know...I'm a HUGE Forrest Gump fan.  So when I talk about running...I always think o that movie.

Monday 3k...Tuesday 3K+ (1.95 miles)...Wednesday Hunger Games (no run)...Thursday 3K+ (2.1 miles).  Tonight will be a run...unfortunately, there will need to be one tomorrow as well.  I plan on getting up early on Saturday and getting it out of the way. 

I haven't done any other exercise this week.  I missed both of my BP classes.  I will be back next week though. 

Eating has been decent...not spectacular.  This weekend I plan on meal planning for the upcoming week and getting my breakfast and lunches ready to leave the house on Monday morning.

Next week is my short week...so I have Friday off.  I plan on surprising my mom and the kids with a trip to Houston so we can go to the aquarium.  My mom has never been to the aquarium so this should be fun.

No real plans for the weekend.  I really need to organize my house.  Which might require a trip to my favorite store (The Container Store).  I LOVE that place.  I can spend hours in there and hundreds of dollars.  Conveniently located directly across from the container store is Nordstrom's Rack...they always have shoes to fit my large feet.  Although I'm no longer a size 11...it's even harder to find a size 10 1/2.  But, I am guaranteed to find some I like there.  I can't wait.

Well everyone one have a happy, productive, and healthy weekend.

Carbs are so tasty

On Saturday I decided that some adjustments needed to be made.  I have been having a serious love affair with carbs.  I'm talking about leaving the husband and running away together affair.  Well that just isn't going to cut it if I plan on meeting my July goal.

So I promised myself some tough love for the first 25 days of April (I'm on vacation the last 5 days of the month...no promises there.)  This tough love will require me to run (yes I said run) 18 out of 25 days.  Crazy right.  This running is in addition to whatever other workout I have planned for the day.  I'm up for the challenge.  I have to put all this sexy in a bathing suit while on vacation...I will run like my name is Forrest Gump.  Oh yeah...I won't weigh myself again until April 25th.  I weighed in on Sunday.  I'm not a scale whore so this won't kill me.  I usually weigh in on Sunday & Wednesday.

Not only will I run, but I'm going to up my daily protein intake...and I'm phasing out the carbs.  I have a fill scheduled for May 1st.  I'm looking forward to getting a little more restriction.

So today was a good day overall.  Plenty of protein.  My breakfast was a sausage...yummy.  However, I did go out to celebrate the 50th birthday of a great friend.  There was one drink involved and some cake.  Yup...I ate it...I'm not ashamed, because it was the only "junk" food I had all day.

Tonight's 3K was 30 minutes and 30 seconds.  My goal is to improve that this week...and move forward next week.