Do You Ever?

Understand this: you are the ONLY ONE who can change and cast off these shackles of limitation and turn your life into what you want it to be…until you do step forward, you will be a prisoner within yourself, a shipwrecked spirit without rudder or compass, subject to the winds of your own self-imposed limitations…or even worse, the limitations of others. ~ Alden Mills on Charlie Mike http://perfectpushup.blogspot.com/2009/01/perfect-promise-part-ii-team-perfect.html

Sometimes, when I listen to music, read a passage in a book, when the air and light are just so I feel like my inside self is doing pirouettes across the grass. As if I’m leaping through the air, like dolphins on a sunny day. Sometimes I truly understand what the Grinch felt when his heart grew two sizes. Sometimes, when I’m too tired, too stressed, too something, I feel like pulling in as much breath as my lungs can hold and just letting it out in the longest, loudest scream I can manage. Sometimes, when the sky is gray, the clouds play peek-a-book with the mountains, and it’s just plain cold out, I feel my heart squeeze tight with happiness, and can't help but sing. Sometimes, walking down a hallway at work, dealing with the minutia of life, I hear a carnival theme echo in my head. Sometimes, I don't. Do you, ever?

Here Come Nat's Nails

Sitrep: 1x Boot Camp (~45 mins)
Due Tonight: Abs

I had a nice evening yesterday. Got home and ate dinner. Postponed boot camp 'cause I was waaaay too hungry. Forgot to take my snacks to work with me. Ooops. Then, since I had to wait a few hours before working out, I decided to paint my finger nails. Yep. You read that right. I painted my finger nails. Turns out the nail polish I got for Xmas appears to be a light pink in the bottle, but on my fingers it's actually a deep, bright pink. They're very, ummm, "here come Nat's nails" today. [g] But I haven't chewed them a single time this morning. That's why I painted them. I'm hopeful that if they are pretty looking, it will help me not chew them down to the nub.

So two of my shows are back on the air - "Wife Swap" and "Super Nanny". Not sure if I should own up to watching the first one. I have no idea why I do. Maybe to reinforce my life choices? To go "See, it really is NOT greener on the other side of the fence." Or maybe it's just because I like to see people argue...it totally caters to my bad side. There were actually two episodes of "Super Nanny". The one I wanted to watch was the second one. Figured it out about 10 minutes into the first one at 8.

So I quickly started Boot Camp. I did 30 minutes of it, up to the third set of push ups, before I started skipping. Of course, by 20 minutes into it I was starting to struggle. Made myself continue on to the first set of floor exercises. Can I just say that I'm actually getting the hang of those kicks? If I keep this up, I might just be able to kick down a door someday. If I needed to. IF it was hollow. And not metal. Anyway. I fast-forwarded the rest of the standing/cardio exercises and just did the remaining abs work and cool-down/stretches. Got done right as the second episode was starting.

Naturally, this is when a friend called to chat. I took the call since we hadn't chatted in awhile, and TV episodes do rerun eventually. :) I was sitting on the floor (hadn't made it to my feet yet) and the nail polish was at eye-level on the coffee table. So I got this wild hair and decided to paint my toe nails to match my finger nails. Yep. You read that right, too. I painted my toe nails.

FYI - it's not easy to paint your nails right after doing Boot Camp. It was a little difficult to control where the polish went because my arms were trembling. LOL. If you're gonna do this, make sure you have lots of nail polish remover. Which I don't. Since it's a "girl" item. Which reminds me. Is there a master shopping list somewhere for "Being A Girl"? Because really. I'm sure there are plenty of other things I need but just don't know about. Yet.

Whose Bright Idea WAS This, Anyway?

I'm posting this tonight because I might not be able to get out of bed in the morning.

I just did almost all of BodyRev Bootcamp.

I know, I know, what the heck was I thinking? I think I was thinking "oh, this isn't so bad, I can do a few more minutes..." Except for about 20 minutes into it, after the second set of pushups, when I went F-this...and forwarded through about 10 minutes of cover drills & kicks/blocks to get to the abs section. Those were okay. Is it my imagination, though, or does he do a heck of a lot more reps in Bootcamp than the Essential Abs? (I've only done through E. Abs Intermediate).

After Abs I went ahead and did the rest. Only at maybe half the speed that Alden does. And I could not do that last set of cover drills. When I heard myself whimper at his announcement of one more set of cover drills, I new I'd done enough. Did the cool down and here I am in my PJs on the sofa. My BodyRev still in the middle of the living room floor. It can stay there. LOL. I'm not about to pick it up.

My arms and legs are all quivery. My back, shoulders, and abs, too, now that I'm inventorying. (Is that even a word?) I think lack of blood to the brain (or the rush of blood to the brain) combined with not enough oxygen is making me giddy. Feels like all my muscle groups are sending out messages to each other going "What the h@## was that?????????". Kinda like we all did here a few years back when that 5.6 earthquake hit. Burned up the phones lines calling everyone going "What the h@## was that???? Was that an earthquake?" Except all my body can get out is "What the h@## was that????"

It does feel good in a sick, demented, kind of way. It's those darn endorphins speaking, I tell you. But really. It does feel good to actually do something, and not just sit around eating all day. To set a goal, meet it, even exceed it somewhat!

So here's to staying Fired Up! If I can make it to the kitchen, I might just toast myself with a small glass of Egg Nog. :)

Shifting Gears

Sitrep: Zero. Zip. Zilch.

In my defense, I was traveling a good part of Sunday & didn't get my BodyRev & Perfect Pushup back until yesterday when my suitcase made it back to town. Last night was all about unpacking, and finishing my SILs Xmas present. I know, I know, I'm making excuses...I definitely could have and should have done either abs or a set of PPU. Tonight.

I was talking on the phone with Janet W last night, and had the most astonishing revelation. So astonishing I didn't realize it until this morning. [g] Gotta be the 2-days travel followed by diving into things at work. Man, I hate going back to work after a vacation. Especially this one. I really had such a good time, and didn't realize how much I would miss my SIL, brother, and the kids. It was kind of a let-down not being with them the last few days!

But on to my "revelation". JanetW asked if I was looking better what with all the exercise I've been doing lately. And I said no, but that's okay, I'm still down the 20 pounds, and still down the 2 pant sizes that I lost during the first year of using the BodyRev. But I'm okay with that. And it's true. It doesn't bug me that I'm not losing more weight, etc. Because I feel so much better when I work out. It's just so weird. :) Even when I do the pushups, and that is so not something I ever thought I'd "hear" myself say. And that's really how I feel. Oh, sure, I want to lose another 20 pounds and really tone so I can look hot in a swimsuit...But I'm okay with feeling better and healthier and having energy, etc. It's all in the attitude, anyway. And I'm sure I'll need reminding of that along the way. :) I'm bound to have "I'm so fat" days in the future. It happens to everyone!

It's just such a good feeling to have energy and motivation to do stuff. :) So on with the BodyRev and Pefect Pushup and yes, even Bootcamp!!!! (Although I'm thinking Saturday might be the day to start that, so I don't have to go to work in agony.) Anyone want to take bets on how much of Bootcamp I'll be able to do my first time out? I'm aiming for 10 minutes before collapsing...

"What kind of father ARE you?"

Sitrep: 3x Cardio, 3x PPU (Max 0)

"The kind that doesn't give his daugher $30 to eat lunch at Taco Bell." OMG. I had to leave the room over that one. Can we say my oldest niece is a firecracker? This is an actual quote from her and my brother. Just one from the last week. All of us are wise acres. Including the kids. ;)

Yesterday we went to McKay. A used books, music & video warehouse. OMG. Talk about fun. I scored big time. TWO of Suz' books. An original edition of Taylor's Temptation and an original edition of Undercover Princess. I already have the first one, but have never read the second one. For only 50 cents each! Whoo-hoo. I also got a couple of Catherine Mann's Wingmen Warriors that I haven't read. And the latest J.D. Robb on unabridged audio CD for 50% less than cover price.

Then we just hung out the rest of the day, reading, doing crossword puzzles. My nieces are really getting into doing them. We spent an hour this morning working on one. I have them using the dictionary to look up meanings and get hints. They are doing really good. I also have my SIL hooked on crosswords now. LOL. We spent a good part of yesterday doing them....both of us feeling stupid when we get the obvious, easy ones wrong!!

Last night was TV night, where after the kids cleaned their rooms we all sat down and watched Christmas movies together. Everyone but the oldest niece, M, and I fell asleep. Then after everyone went upstairs to bed, I sat with her in her room and we just talked. It was fun. I liked having that one on one time with her. It was a little disconcerting though as I kept getting these images of her as a toddler/preschooler. The last time I spent several days just with her. She's almost 11 now. It was just weird.

We planned to play outside today but it is all rainy/misty out. Yuck. So we are stuck indoors. This morning the girls helped me do my final workout of the week. Heh. They are almost as hard task masters as Alden! They all think the BodyRev is cool, and "joined" me while I did the 15 minute Cardio workout. Then both girls tried out the Pefect Pushup. How pathetic do I feel when my 8 year old niece cranks out 10 regular PPU's in a row? Sheesh. But hey. She has less weight to push up and hold up!

So this marks the first time in well over a month that I have actually MET MY WEEKLY GOAL. Whoo-Yah! Now that is something to get FIRED UP about. And tomorrow is family game day and we're going to play the Wii. Bowling, tennis, whatever. :) I'm having a really great time!

The FUN has begun!

Sitrep (last week): 2x Cardio, 2x Arms, 1 set Regular & 1/2 Set Wide PPU
Goal (12/3-9): 3x Cardio, 3x PPU (1 set ea Regular, Wide & Close each time)
So far: 1x Cardio, 1x PPU Regular & Wide, 1/2 Close

I'm at my brother's, finally, and am having a blast! It's so great to see everyone again. I'm not sure who's more excited or having more fun. Sunday is usually their family day, where they eat out or order in, and play games. I think I'm going to have to get a Playstation. LOL. We played a new game called Buzz. It was a blast. The girls, K & M, each wanted to be on my team, so we played twice, switching teams. K & I did okay...we were leading for awhile, until their Mom totally kicked all our butts. Brian & N (my nephew) teamed up and held their own. They came in second. When M & I teamed up, we wiped the floor with the others. ;)

Then we played Sing Star. Now that is tons of fun. [g] Even I got up there and sang...did pretty decently too until my niece tricked me into singing "S.O.S" with her...I've never head the song before...Can we just say it was excruciating? Love how it tells you when you've hit a bad note. LOL. Like I couldn't tell by the pained expressions on everyone's faces. But it was a lot of fun. Oh, this is going to be bad for me. A new addiction, a new toy...

Today so far I've spent a couple of hours chatting with my sister in law. Brian's at work, and the kids are at school. It's just us and the critters...4 dogs, 5 cats...I did 1 cardio workout, and then the Perfect Pushup. Did a lot more than last time. Managed one full set of Regular & Wide position, and then got halfway through a set of Close position. I like it. My SIL tried it and liked it. Of course, now I have to kill her because a) she did 7 in a row like they were nothing (grrrr), and then did some more! and b) these are GOING HOME WITH ME.

Well, that's it for now. Not sure the plan for the rest of the day. As long as it's not work, I'm good. (Side note: they made it 2 hours before calling my cell phone).

Overnight in Detroit

Sitrep: 2x Cardio, 2x Arms, 1 Reg PPU, 1/2 Wide PPU

So I was stranded overnight in Detroit. Lovely. I'm sure this city is nicer than it appeared to me in a blanket of sleet as the taxi took me to the only hotel NW airlines had still available...the Doubletree. Ahhh, the misery. Although I've become enough of a girl that the loss of my styling gel and styling comb this morning has me a wee bit irritated. And lauging at myself. Off to the airport in a few to try to get the 10:24 to Knoxville...Hopefully I make it...doesn't look to be snowing/sleeting any more. Who knows if it's icy, though.

I really want to get there today...don't want to disappoint my brother, sil or the kids again. Or myself. I was so looking forward to getting there last night!

Gator & Other Exercise Ladies - Stay FIRED UP as Alden would say...IF I'd been a bit better in shape I'd've made my connecting flight...definitely ran harder, faster and farther last night than I'd've been able to just over a year ago! But I definitely need to start the BootCamp DVD when I get it. Missed my connecting flight by TWO MINUTES!

Ooops, did I say that?

Sitrep: BodyRev (2wts) - Cardio & Arms 2x; PPU - 1 set Reg, 1/2 set Wide

I believe yesterday I said that I could still lift my arms over my head after doing the Perfect Pushup (PPU). Not so much today. Okay, I can still lift them over my head, but really don't want to. My pec muscles ache when I do that. Only not as bad as with any other movement of my arms. Yikes. Even typing makes me feel my pecs. How the heck is that happening?

Noticed something this morning - I'm wearing a sweater I haven't worn in years because it was too tight over the stomach...it still shows more bulge than I'd like, but fits. But what I realized today is the sleeves aren't tight. They are actually a bit loose around the biceps. Sweeeeetttt!

Had a great evening last night. Came home after work and decided not to turn the TV on. I remember how relaxing my sister's house always is because she usually has music on, not TV. So I turned on a new CD I treated myself to - the Best of Andrea Bocelli - and set about making dinner and working on my current Christmas project. I actually got to talk to Janet W for a bit. That was great, wish I could have talked longer. But it made me make sure I did my workout last night.

My little sister, her mom & older sister also came over. I'd agreed to hem some pants for Mom Michelle as she has a job interview today. :) (Go Mom Michelle!) We had dinner, I hemmed the pants, the girls did homework...it was fun. And relaxing with the music in the background. Only bad part was when they showed up...apparently the girls had been arguing, again. And Mom had had enough. Sat the girls down and gave them a huuuuuggggeeee lecture. In front of me. Not sure who was more embarassed. Me or the girls. Thought KT (the 17 yr old) was going to die from embarrassment.

Reminds me of my sister and I as teens. Holy moly, were we mean to each other. Not sure how Mom & Dad survived. And my sister actually still talks to me! I'd better send her a big cyber hug. I wasn't much nicer to my brother, either. I remember when I switched to words instead of physically trying to beat him up after the time he held me off with a hand to my forehead and I couldn't reach him. Boy, did that make me madder!!!! [g] Good thing he still talks to me, since I'm spending the next two weeks with him and his family. And he's even picking me up at the airport. :) I do have the best brother & sister in the world. I'm very lucky.

And speaking of my siblings, I have a picture of the three of us that was taken the last time we were together...two years ago? Anyway. It's on my fridge. Last night Mom Michelle saw it and said "Wow. You really have lost weight...I knew you had, just hadn't realized how much!" thank you, thank you very much. [g] Every time I've mentioned my former weight and my issues with it she always says "oh, stop it, you didn't weigh that much." I think that picture reminded her that maybe I was unhealthily overweight. Still am, just not by as much!

I could see the wheels start turning in her head that maybe, just maybe, she can do this too. I've been encouraging her. She has my original BodyRev & the DVD (I use the scripts the ladies on the BB provided. I wish Alden would produce an audio track I could download to my MP3 player. That would be fabulous!) Anyway. She mentioned something about losing weight/getting in shape, and I said, hey, you know what to do...You have that REV sitting right there in your living room. She actually looked more interested than I've ever seen her, so maybe she'll start...I hope so. It would be fun to have a BodyRev buddy here in town. :)

Got the weather report for the next week at my brother's. Looks like it's going to hit the 70's at least one day while I'm there. Yikes. Considering in my world it's snowing, the roads are icy (slid through a red light today!), and the high today is going to be 28*F, that's going to be a shock to my system. :) Guess I'd better drag some of my summer/fall clothes out. :)

I'm starting to hear I'm leaving, on a jet plane, don't know when I'll be back again...Leaving, on a jet plane...over and over in my head. :)

Motivation Schmotivation

Sitrep: 2 wts - 1x Cardio, 1x Arms. PPU - 1 set Regular, 1/2 set Wide (0 max level)

At least I remembered my cell phone this morning. Which I didn't the last two days. But really. You know you're tired when you use shampoo instead of soap and don't realize it until you're rinsing. At least I got my contacts in okay. But I have huge green/gray circles under the eyes. A sure sign I've been eating something my body doesn't like. Sigh. I know it's the garlic in the mashed potatoes. But they were soooo good. [Note to self - get recipe from Michelle and post.] And I brought enough home from T-day to last until last night. Thank goodness the leftovers are gone. I was at the point I was going to start gobbling instead of talking I've eaten so much turkey. The dog is pretty bummed, to say the least, since turkey is on the "approved" eating list for her. ;)

So what the heck was up with all my "gonna figure out my Max" for the Perfect Pushup? I mean really. How many push ups do you think this girl can do without stopping (and with good "form"). The levels are: 0, 10, .... oh, why bother going past that? [g]

[Insert Jeopa.rdy Theme Music Here]

That's right! It's ZERO max for me. [g] Although I was able to do 2 push ups before collapsing. Better than even I expected. I guess all this REVing really has improved my arm strength. So with zero being closer to two than ten (gee, who'd've thunk it!) that's my level. I managed to do the following KNEE push ups:

1 set Regular position, 0 Max = 4 push ups, rest, 3 push ups, rest, 2 push ups, rest, 1 push up, rest
1/2 set Wide position, 0 Max = 4 push ups, rest, 3 push ups, collapse

Now, you're supposed to do this in 2 minute drills. So I should have done each set in a 2 minute period. I didn't time it. Figured the first few times I'd focus more on just getting it done - form, rotating the handles, etc. Regular position is hard enough. Wide position is just that. You put your hands two hand widths wider than shoulder width. Yikes.

I hurt this morning. My shoulders, upper arms, upper chest muscles. But at least I can still use my arms and even lift them over my head. We'll see about tomorrow! Anyway. I feel good that I got the exercise in, and that I was able to even do that many push ups! A definite improvement and progress is being made. :)

Thanks everyone for the support and encouragement. I didn't mean for my post on the BB yesterday to sound like I was beating myself up. I'm not. Just a little discouraged, and the tiredness I'm feeling in general was showing through. I'm tired today, but feel more energized if that makes any sense, because I worked out last night. :)

Flag Football w/9-10 yr olds = TACKLE

Sitrep: 2 wts - 1x Cardio, 1x Arms, 30 min Flag Football, 30 min Basketball

So I survived last night's Gym Night with Big Brothers Big Sisters. It was a lot of fun, really. And I totally stayed away from the 3-legged soccer. ;) Shanni & her older sister KT went with me. Apparently the Salvation Army has a church building in town, and they have a huge gym attached.

We got there just after 6pm, and did some warm-up throwing baskets, etc. Then they started the flag football. Can I just say I was the only adult on our team? A definite disadvantage for our team, as I am not athletically inclined. Shanni, 12, and KT, 17, were on my team. Thank goodness for KT. She's athletically inclined and fast...I guess I should count her in the adult category, huh? There was a 13 yr old boy and then a bunch of 8-10 year olds. The 8-10 yr old boys did not want to throw the ball to the girls. [g] The girls wanted to show the boys they were good too.

None of them cared about the "flag" part of the game. It was all rush and pile on, or rush and crowd into the wall. No one got hurt, though. One of the BBBS staff was the 'ref' and made sure everyone took turns as the quarterback. When it was Shanni's turn, we made our own "play" and she faked like she was going to throw it then handed it off (shoved it, actually) at her sister. Then we got in front of KT and barreled down the "field." Almost made it, too. If that darn wall would have stayed out of the way.

I have to admit, I didn't realize how into it I would get. Seriously. I haven't played like this in a long time. Thanks to the BodyRev workouts I've been doing, I had the stamina to keep going. Oh, I got winded, sweaty, etc. But I didn't feel like passing out or quitting. I had fun. And I was seriously going after whoever had the ball. I am not kidding. There was no holding back so the kids could feel good about themselves. Because holy cow, are they fast. It was all I could do to keep up! I did stop one of the 10 or 12 yr old boys from scoring because I was able to pull his flag 3/4 of the way to our goal. I held that thing up in the air and jumped up and down yelling "I got it! I got it!". Like I'd won the lottery or something. Cracked everyone up. Got my high fives from Shanni, her sister and my team mates, though.

We ended up losing, but had a fun time, which is the whole point of it. Everyone got to participate, and had fun. No crying or disappointment. After a short break, Shanni sat down to draw a "When I grow up I want to be..." picture for BBBS (for one of their fundraisers) and KT & I went back on the floor to play basketball. This one boy about Shanni's age came over and sat across from her, but didn't want to draw a picture. Just kinda sat there and watched her. A few minutes after she finished and joined us, he showed up with another basketball, and challenged her into playing with him. It was so cute. I don't think she even realized he was crushing on her. :o We played for about 30 minutes, before we had to leave so they could do homework.

It was great to be able to be out there and doing stuff with her. To be able to coach her and encourage her. To be able to show her how to throw the ball and give her tips to make a basket. I'm not the best player, but I can make a basic shot. And explain how I did it. Not only did she make it, she did 2 in a row!!! Yeah, Shanni!

She told me she wants to play volleyball at school. KT wants to try out for track or basketball, she's not sure which. I'm encouraging them both. ;) They also want us to get together once every week or few weeks to do what we did last night. I'll have to see what facilities I can find. That are free. Or at least cheap! I talked to our case worker at BBBS and she says they want to do this once a month.

Anyway. THANK YOU to all the BB posters, and Gator Patrol for the support and encouragement and sharing of their struggles in keeping healthy and exercising. It's been inspiring and motivating to me, and kept me exercising long past the point I'd have given up. And a SPECIAL HOO-YAH and THANK YOU to Alden, for taking all that time to encourage and motivate us. It has really made a difference for me!

I think I must be sick...

Weekly goal for Nov. 5-11: 2 weights - 4x Cardio, 3x Arms
End of Week Sitrep: 2 weights - 3x Cardio, 2x Arms

And it's not because of the red wine I had while playing hooky at the neighbors last night instead of studying. Although that is probably why I've had a bit of a headache all day. (I'm such a lightweight. Sigh. Which is why I'd never be able to go on one of the Ops to Bad Frogs. lol. Those ladies scare and amaze me.)

No, I think I must be sick because not only have I found a way to get the BodyRev Bootcamp workout (thank you Janet W!) , I bid on - and won - the Perfect Pushup Travel in the fundraising auctions for Valour IT (Voice Activated Laptops for OUR Injured Troops). Check out the project if you haven't already, it's awesome, and you can still donate!

I'm excited about both workouts. But seriously.

Me?
Pushups?
Bootcamp?
In the same sentence?
And it's voluntary?

Hee hee. Maybe it's because I just finished another 30 minutes of REVing, but I'm feeling seriously giddy here. Although lack of oxygen probably does the same thing. [g]

I missed the second part of the Tyra Banks show last night on body image. Unexpected visit at the neighbors house. With the above mentioned wine. I think she wanted adult company, that wasn't family, ya know? She's got a 2 year old at home and is feeling a little trapped I think. We've chatted lots over the "back fence" since they moved in this summer. I had a good time. I think she did too. By the time I left, she was promising to help with my yard this summer. The flower beds, I mean. She loves planting and knows flowers, etc. (You should have seen all the stuff she planted.) She said she already has plans for my flower beds. LOL. Works for me. It was the one thing I never did get working for me this summer.

Anyway. Just talked to Mom and found out that B&T have a total gym or something like that at their house, so I don't have to take my BodyRev with me when I go visit this December. I'll miss it, but will at least be able to workout. I was having fears of it being a)stolen from my suitcase or b)commandeered at some airport security checkpoint along the way if I did take it as carry on.

Well. Enough of that. I'm feeling great, still Reving, and got 3 cardio and 2 arms workouts in this week. Pretty good even if it's not my goal for the week. But I'm only short one cardio and one arms. I still don't get to buy the newest J.D. Robb, however. But next weekend watch out! I want that book and am feeling motivated enough right now I think I can do it. ;)

Hoo yah!

Quick, Pass the Ibuprofen

1x Arms, 1x Cardio - 2 weights for both

I really hit the cardio hard last night. Trying to make up for not REVing or burning off excess energy. Not sure which. I added a second weight on the cardio. Ughhh on the REVs is all I can say. Then I did extra reps. I so feel it today. Was fine when I woke up. But the more I move, the stiffer I feel. [g]

Not sure what was up with me last night, but hey...it's better than bingeing on ice cream or chocolates! (Which I have a nice box of thanks to my lovely sister. She sent me a box of Chocolate Covered Macadamia Nuts from Hawaii. Souvenir for me of their vacation in Kuai this month! They were good, but I will admit to sharing them with my coworkers so I wouldn't eat the whole box myself.)

I've heard that exercising right before bed is not a good idea; it keeps you awake. Maybe I'm just weird, but if I exercise and go to bed within a half hour to an hour, I sleep wonderfully. It feels so good to slip between the sheets after working out and just crashing. [g] I did sleep much better last night than I have in weeks. I'm still exhausted this morning. But that's because I haven't slept well in awhile. And then I dreamt. Do you ever have those dreams that are so good and so real, they stick with you all day?

I'm seriously bummed this morning. I wish I was back in my last dream. (I remember several from last night. The final one was the good one. The other one was weird - world was flooded, we held onto the continents as they flipped over under the weight of the water. And it went in turns. We had to sit there and wait and watch as the other continents and their people flipped and then were on dry land. Until it was our turn. Absolutely bizarre. I'm still puzzling over what that one means.)

Still have no idea what to do with my hair. Spent way too much time yesterday trying to figure out if my face is "round" or "square" or "oval". Sheesh. 12:30 is the appointment. I'll see about posting a picture tomorrow. If it isn't too scary. [g]

Oh. My. God. Moment Last Night (Get Y'all's minds out of the gutter!)

Sitrep: 1x Arms, 1x Cardio
(I love Tuesdays. Watching Biggest Loser motivates me to get off my butt and workout while I'm watching the show)

So last night I got this really brilliant idea after REVing for 30 minutes that I really needed to take my measurements again. After all, I'm back at 165. Let's see how that little side-trip back up to 171 affected the numbers.

Caveat: I'm not really sure of the numbers in this chart. It's hard to measure yourself, and I'm not certain I measured in all the right spots, or even the same spots each time. (particularly forearm, any of the upper/lower, etc.) Sad, really.

Anyway. I was a bit bummed yet again on looking at the numbers. Nothing has really changed all that much...

But I've lost 20 pounds (hoo-yah) and dropped from a definite size 16 in everything to a 12/14 (and now my 14 jeans are a bit loose around the waist/hips and the size 12 slacks are comfy again.) And my shirts are looser. Larges I stopped wearing are fitting better.

I think if I went shopping today, I'd end up with a pair of size 12 jeans. I think. Not ready to test that theory. [g]

Anyway. I was sitting there bummed out, especially when looking at the waist/belly numbers. So on a whim I put the measuring tape around my waist again, only this time I put it at my original measurement. Oh. My. God. What a difference!!!!! And was I really that fat? Oh. My. God.

I think I'm going to start worshipping at the altar of BodyRev and Alden Mills. With Swim Buddies and the Gator Patrol in my pantheon of deities. :)

Titleless...in other words, TGIF!

Goal: 2x Arms, 2x Legs, 2x Cardio, Daily Abs
Sitrep: 2x Arms, 1x Legs, 1x Cardio, 4x Abs

The elephant on roller skates made it to the bottom of the hill yesterday. With only one near-miss. [g] I did Arms, but was getting that glare in front of my eyes that usually signals "fever" or "migraine ahead". I took 2 ibuprofen and lay down for about 30 minutes. The glare kinda went away so I did Abs. I got it done, and only ended up with a minor headache. [g]

But wait! Still have more workouts to do to meet the week's goals, and I definitely can't use the weekend as an excuse to not workout. You know, that old "I'll do that tonight" or "I'll do extra tomorrow". Because that just turns into "Gee, I have 2 hours to do today. Maybe I should just start over from scratch tomorrow since I'm so far behind." I felt really proud of myself last night for pushing through and getting my goal for the day done. I'm going to focus on that and do my 30 minutes after work today. Legs & Abs. Legs are my least favorite. BUT THEY ARE HISTORY.

Other than that, I'm not feeling particularly chatty or upbeat today. The "glare" is back in front of my eyes. Makes it hard to focus on anything. Going to buy the sinus rinse recommended by cranky otter today. ;) [I know, I know. Took me long enough. I've just been avoiding stores. Too many people & I can't handle that when I'm sick.]

I'm also feeling blue today about that friend that just kinda dropped me this summer. It's dawned on me that our friendship for all intents and purposes is over. Whenever I try to talk to her now I get the look. You know the one. The "studying a bug through a microscope" look. Or worse, she gets the same look on her face she used to get when our former (thank the gods) crazy-as-a-loon receptionist used to talk to her. I just realized the other night: Our friendship started with her grandmother's death, and ended with my grandmother's death. Oh, the irony!

Halfway There - Hoo Yah!

Goals: 2x each Arms, Legs, Cardio + Daily Abs
Sitrep: 1x Arms, 1x Legs, 1x Cardio, 3x Abs

Well, I did it! I've completed 30 minutes of REVing for 3 days straight now. Hoo yah! Feels good. I did the cardio as soon as I got home last night, and then had dinner because I was starving. Exercising makes me hungrier. I'd always heard it's supposed to do the opposite, but that's never worked for me. Anyway. Did the Abs later in the evening, around 8pm. I think it was Alden's - and everyone else's - wonderful replies to my post yesterday that kept me going. I just focused on how good I feel after doing Abs, and how much I actually like abs. And I kept picturing myself with a flat stomach. Now there's some motivation.

I also got outside yesterday with my camera. I've completely spaced on the manual settings, it's been so long. I didn't get very many good shots in the end. Sigh. Now I remember why I stopped. My unreasonable perfectionism ruined it for me.

The important thing is, I had a great time just tooling around in my yard, trying to capture the trees and the light and the clouds, etc., on film. Trying to capture what I was "feeling" with the camera. I had fun. So I'm just going to keep plugging away at it. Because that's what matters. That I enjoyed myself, not how many "good" photos I got.

And that's something I need to apply to working out. Doing these exercises is what gives me the physical and mental energy to get out there and do things I enjoy. Today, Thursday, is generally the day that I let the friction stop me; that I let inertia grab hold once more. Well, not today.

So here's a Shout-Out to everyone that reads this: I'm challenging you to exercise today. Any exercise. Walking, running, hiking, weights, going to the gym, BodyRev - whatever you like. Just get out there and exercise today. And I will do Arms & Abs tonight.

I will come back here tomorrow and post my success. Because this unbalanced force is gonna annihilate that inertia!

I am an elephant on roller skates heading down hill. ;)

[And no, that's not a reference to my weight or size. It's just how powerful I feel!]

Newton's First Law of Motion

Goals: 2x Legs, 2x Arms, 2x Cardio, Daily Abs
Sitrep: 1x Legs, 1x Arms, 2x Abs

Holy smokes was last night full of dreams. And they weren't that fun. I think the networks need to add another rating to their system. One for "Chock-full of spiders and big ugly true-to-life gigantic pictures of the little b#$%!#ds." Geez. It was one darn line that started the dreams, though. "No matter where you are, you're never more than 6 feet from a spider." Lovely thought. Does that black can of Raid come in a pocket size?

But I really wanted to focus today on something that came up in this week's Gator Patrol. I've been thinking about it for a few days now and can't figure it out. The post was "Why do I (we - because I'm sure I'm not alone in this) do this to myself? It's so much harder to keep starting over than it would be to keep going."

This is exactly what I do. But why? Is it because I'm lazy at heart? (I am.) Because I don't like to exercise? (True as well.) But I do this elsewhere in my life. I'm a great starter, not a good finisher. You only have to take a look at all the unfinished projects around my house to figure that out. But why is that. Is it learned or are was I born that way? Why are people so darn different?

I look at my family. My sister is the ultimate when it comes to being healthy and exercising. For awhile there I was worried about her. But my BIL & niece have mellowed her a bit. ;) She is always on the go, busy. Even before the baby. And my brother. He might not be into the gym and all that, but the man is always busy. And in shape. He's just on the go-go-go, and whatever he's doing is usually physically oriented. I haven't lived with either of them since high school/college. But seems to me from visits and conversations that they don't have all these unfinished projects lying around. I could be wrong on that, though. And then there's Mom. Now that woman should be called Wonder Woman. She never stops, unless it's to sleep. :) Constantly moving, working, doing...Dad isn't too far behind her. Although I think he & I are more alike. He'd be happy just sitting tinkering on the computer or watching TV. Like me.

And then there's me. I start lots of stuff, have lots of grand ideas, but lose momentum halfway through. It drives me crazy; yet I've given up on it. Grudgingly accepted it as something to live with. So I have my scrapbook from my Japan Vacation (4 years ago!!!) with only a few pages done. Spent tons of money on an album and stickers and papers...That's just one example.

Maybe I'm being too hard on myself. But really. It's just so darn hard to make something stick. Yet the habit of sitting there on the sofa watching one show after another for two or three or more hours while trying to decide what to do was an easy enough habit to learn! Whenever I start contemplating this, I usually think of Newton's First Law of Motion (thanks, Dad!):

"An object at rest tends to stay at rest and an object in motion tends to stay in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force."

I guess I'm that unbalanced force. Or my mind is. ;) Because why else would I stop when I'm moving? Why else do I make it halfway through the week meeting my goals and then...nothing?

The lesson continues with: Objects tend to "keep on doing what they're doing." In fact, it is the natural tendency of objects to resist changes in their state of motion. This tendency to resist changes in their state of motion is described as inertia."

So I've been very focused since starting REVing on over-coming my inertia. The Gator Patrol and my swim buddies have been fantastic helping with that. So I don't think it's inertia that is keeping me form doing this daily. If it was inertia, I wouldn't keep starting up again.

Galileo reasoned that moving objects eventually stop because of a force called friction.

But what is the "friction" I keep encountering. I used to say I didn't exercise because I wouldn't be able to do the stuff I really like to. Not enough time, yada, yada, yada. That doesn't hold water. Because 30 minutes a day isn't that much; I've found time to do other stuff the last 2 days while still getting 30 minutes a day of REVing done. Geez, I REVed 30 minutes last night, and still managed to eat dinner, watch Biggest Loser & SVU (plus a couple other 30 minute shows), hem 2 pairs of pants, read a little, and get to bed by 10pm.

So where's the friction? Is it mental, internal? Because I can't think of anything external that is stopping me. Why do I keep doing this? Because the BB poster was right. It's harder to keep starting over than it is to just keep going. Why can't I just let the momentum carry me along?

Gator Patrol Today - with Alden!

Original Goal: Do anything this week.

Revised Goal: Rev 5x by Sun. night. Starting Wed.

Sitrep: 1x Arms

Yikes! Alden's supposed to post on the bulletin board today. I'm excited but also a little chagrined. Been missing his motivational posts. I haven't been doing too good lately. Granted, the last week or so has been due to my ears. But the 2 weeks before that, I was only meeting half my goals. And they were easy goals at that. Sigh. But at least I'm still trying!

I actually revved last night for 15 minutes. No dizziness, no ear pain, no heartbeat pounding through my ears/head. That has got to be the worst. That darn feeling/hearing of the heartbeat in your ears. That, and the swoosh of the blood rushing through your veins. {shudder}.

On to happier things. :) Just got these pictures of my youngest niece meeting the Princesses at Di.sne.y. Her first trip there:



These were the only ones it would let me "save" to my computer. Through the backdoor, of course. Isn't she so adorable? I'm not biased in the least, btw. ;) She's as cute in person/on the phone. Like the day she called to tell me she was eating cheetos. "Mommy doesn't like cheetos. Tia Natalia likes cheetos."

And guess what???? My oldest niece tried out for and got into her school choir! Yay! :) I'm so thrilled for her. :)

She didn't get it last year, but hung in there and tried again. I'm so proud of her for that.

Edited to add: And she got straight A's. Whoo-hoo. That's my niece!

She's moved past the adorable stage into the beautiful & smart one. :) I can't believe how grown up she is! Time is passing too fast.

Maybe I should change my post title to "Two of my wonderful nieces!"

The Plank! The Plank!

Goals: 3x Arms, 3x Cardio, 1x Abs
Sitrep: 2x Arms, 1x Cardio, 1x Abs (#2)

Okay. So that's a bad punny version of Tatoo from Fantasy Island. But I am SO STOKED!

I was able to hold the plank position for the FULL ten seconds ALL THREE TIMES during the Abs Intermediate workout. Hoo-yah! I've held it the full ten seconds one time before, never all three, but last night, I don't know...I was in a zone, I tell ya! And then on the Arms workout, at the very end, that last set of REVs that you have to do. When Alden is counting down REV-REV-REV-REV-Three-Two-One (and not that fast)...I usually make it to "three" before having to stop. But not last night! Got through it the whole way.

I am FIRED UP!

Plank Explained: Sort-of a pushup, but not...You lay on your stomach, with your elbows under your shoulders, hands gripping the BodyRev in front of you. So your arms, from elbows to wrists, are flat on the floor. Then you kinda push yourself up on your toes and arms (the part laying flat on the floor) so you are holding yourself up for 10 seconds, keeping your butt down (hard part for me, lol) so that you are straight and could "lay a plank" from your head to your feet. [Not sure how well this describes, so if anyone else out there wants to jump in and help, feel free to post comments!]

(Do you think it was the oreo cookies I ate yesterday???)

Gator Patrol

Weekly Goal (M-Su): Arms 3x, Cardio 3x, Abs 1x

Last week I did fairly good. Even though I skipped my workouts on Wednesday and Thursday. I moved those to other days, doing 30 minutes 2x instead of just 15. It wasn't too bad, really. I love the flexibility of REVing. Those 15 minute increments really work for me.

The goal for last week (Monday through Sunday) was to do Abs 2x, Arms 2x and Cardio 2x. I did the following:

Abs = Beginner 1x, Intermediate 2x (one weight)
Arms = 2x (one weight)
Cardio = 1x (one weight)
Legs*

* 50 minutes of weeding in the yard on Saturday = 1 legs workout. These weren't just any weeds. They were BIG. We're talking up to 5 feet tall, with stalks about an inch in diameter at the base. They were all on the back end of my property, lining the alley. Technically on the city's property, which is why I've not tackled them before. But they were taking over the parking space next to my garage, and encroaching in front of the garage itself. So I pulled them all up. Thank goodness they're shallow-rooted, and you can pull them up by the roots. The backs of my upper legs were hurting yesterday morning. So I'm counting it as a Legs workout. Definitely felt the squats when I did Cardio yesterday. [g] They still hurt today. I was moving like an old lady this morning!

I'm going to change my goals for this week. Still aiming for 15 minutes a day. But I'm going to stop focusing on Abs. I think I did something wrong on the first Abs workout last week, as each one after that I got this weird spasm/twitch in my mid back while doing crunches. I think I used my back instead of my abs on the hip lift. Oops. So I'm going to give that a bit of a rest. And going to ramp up the cardio and arms.

One thing I've noticed; I miss the gator patrol. And Alden's posts. I know it was only going to be for a short time that Alden posted, and that he is a very, very busy man. Which is great, I'm glad the business is going good. Saw him on CNBC's show The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch. That was fun; it was midnight my time and Alden almost had me fired up enough to REV right then and there. He's a really good motivator. He had Donny Deutsch giving the Perfect Pushup a go right there!

But the Gator Patrol has gone missing. Mostly due to summer, I think, and I've hardly been starting any posts myself. Maybe I'll do that later this week on Suz's BB, when some of the talk on the book dies down some. :) But that sense of comraderie is missing. I really liked reporting in each week, and learning something new, getting support. Seeing how many of us were taking charge of our lives! Ah, well. There's still support out there, from several sources (you know who you are!!!)

If the smoke from these darn fires would ever ease up, I'd tackle Mount Helena again. I really want to make that end-of-summer goal with my little sister. And get out on my bicycle. Smoke was really bad again yesterday. We've been getting several clear hours early on Saturday & Sunday mornings, but it's bad again by afternoon. Visibility was down to 1.75 miles by 5pm on Sunday. I'll just have to shift that goal to end of Fall, instead.

I'm going to stay FIRED UP and do 15 minutes a day this week. Yay Me!

Two Happy's Today

Weekly Goals (M-Su): 3x Abs #2, 2x Arms, 2x Cardio
Sitrep: 1x Abs #2, 1x Arms

Happy One:

Happy birth-day to you, hap-py birth-day to-o you, happpppyy BIRTH-daayy dear brooooo-therrrrrr, hap-py BIRTH-daaay toooooo youuuuu!

Aren't you glad you can't hear me singing this to you? Love you lots and hope you have a great day. Wish I was there to celebrate with you. :)

(Uh, I'm sure it's no surprise, but your present will be delayed. This time, however, it's not because I haven't gotten it yet. I've been having a few...difficulties...with it. but I did mail part of it with your card. The rest'll be in the mail by this weekend, hopefully!)

Happy Two:

Happy BodyRev Anniversary to Me!!! Today is the one year mark for the first time I used the BodyRev. First workout: Legs. Ahhh, I remember it well. Eight minutes, yes that's the number 8, into the Legs workout, I sat down. [g] And boy did my legs hurt the next day. And the day after, I had to force myself to sit down and pull myself up, all from the squats in the routine. I think my muscles were in total shock I'd required them to do something other than walk between car and building. :0

But it's been a good year. Hit it hard the first 6 months, which is where I lost the 20-25 pounds (it fluctuates, darn it, why won't it just stay at the 25 pound mark!). It's also where I lost those inches and started to tone. I dropped from a high-end size 16 to a 14 and then a 12. Yep. Today I am wearing size 12 slacks. Un-be-liev-a-ble. At least, that's what I used to think! And my arms, wow, I have muscles! When I do the "muscle" pose, you can see 'em, and they even feel firm when poked!!! Now, I'm not winning any arm wrestling contests, but for my arms they are darn impressive!

Insert happy dance here.

And I'm feeling great. Even though the last 6 months have been less committed (I think the slacking off time outweighs the REV time, ackkk) I still feel good, and have kept the weight from creeping back. I'm eating better, sleeping better, and life is just, you guessed it, better!

My goal for the next year of BodyRev is to get to the point where I can do all 4 15 minute workouts together. I actually got there once during this last 12 months. It almost killed me, but I did it. I can do it again. :) And the rest of the goal is to graduate to BootCamp.

The sun is shining, some of the smoke has cleared out, and it's a Two Happy Day today. :)