Crazy, Productive Monday...

Hey!!  I'm taking a practice break...cause I need to.  LOL  It has been such a productive day.  I feel so good and happy.  I'm even looking forward to starting the next phase of ChaLean Extreme this evening.  Yeas, yeas....LOL

Here's the Friend Making Monday.....You know I love doing these!!!

Quiet and Madness...wrapped up in ONE!

Tiffany over me singing!  LOL

A four day hiatus from the blog was SO not the plan.  Ooops.  Man...things have been whirlwindy.  LOL  My mom is out of town and I'm house sitting.  Lemme tell you, running 2 households and 2 sets of pets is no joke...on top of my crazy schedule.

I can say, house sitting for the mom has been a treat.  One, because my mom is surrounded by musicians, I can practice anytime of the day and as long as I want....and I get to doggy sit her ornery and funny dog Tiffany.  Tiffany is a 12 year old Shorkie (Shitzu and Yorkie).  She's old, but feisty and funny.  She keeps me and the mom's cat Socks on our toes.  LOL  Plus, nothing is funnier than me trying to do my CheLean exercises that cause me to be on the floor.  I was doing some chest presses and she came over with her brown eyes and long eyelashes to give me that...what in the HAYLE are you doing look.  Then she laid down and made it difficult to do them.  Bwaahaha.  Oh pets.

In other news...I can't remember if I said I lost those 2 pounds I gained last week.  LOL  There's so much going on I can't remember. Gaaah!!  I feel good and like disciplined.  It is really strange.  Everyday I see myself more focused, more stronger, more determined.  It is a nice feeling.  Makes me happy.  Even if the scale isn't moving, I see myself thinning out.  Like I put some pants on yesterday and this ugly override thing I had on my thighs...gone.  It makes me happy...and even more focused.

Well, I'm getting the side eye from the mom's funny dog.  Yea...she needs a walk.  I hope you all have a great day!!

...........peace and blessings.........................

*singing* What a day this has been.....

Ha....  I'm actually quite amazed that I'm able to type at this moment.  It has been QUITE a day.

Since the mom is out of town, I'm her house sitter...and her car sitter...and her dog sitter...and her cat sitter...gardener... LOL  You get it.  Since I'm the car sitter, I had to do alternate side parking with her car.  I found a space for my car last night. *sigh*

So, this is how my Tuesday flowed....I hit the gym by 8:15 and did 37 minutes on the elliptical.  For some reason, it was difficult and I sweated like I was doing this crap in a sauna.  When I left the gym, I ran by my house to check on my cat.  Talk abut an evil broad cause I didn't spend the night at home.  Then I ran back to the mom's...parked...walked the dog and then ran and met my boy at the gym for round 2.  Yea...45 minutes on the treadmill with a wicked incline. (Go me....)

As I was walking home, I kept contemplating a nap, then I realized...nap wasn't an option.  I got my lunch done...and in my body...then I got ready to hit the road again.

I had to be at church at 3 for the funeral of Harlem's Sylvia's.  Sylvia's name is as famous as Harlem.  And she really had a funeral fit for a queen.  It started at 4 and ended at 7:45PM.  Serious I say...plus, I was in arms reach of former President Bill Clinton.  *swoon*  LOL  It was quite a powerful service.  It is something when everyone says the same thing about you...you were humble, you encouraged everyone, made everyone feel loved and respected....and on and on.  That's speaks so highly of Sylvia's character....how many people can we say that about??

Then I walked home...seriously...when I hit the kitchen this evening...I wanted to pass.out.  PASS.OUT.  But...I hadn't had dinner.  I grabbed that, walked the dog for the night and now I'm in the mom's bed feeling like Nina from Love Jones.  ROFL....

I'm exhausted, but rather impressed.  Usually when I have a day like this, I take a nap.  I made it without a nap...WITHOUT and my brain didn't die.  LOL  I just apologized to the dog in advance cause I know I'm gonna snore.

Okay...I'm done.

.............peace and blessings......

Friend Making Monday....on the run

I'm going to do this quickly...and then I'm going to really blog a post.  Ahh...things have been poppin'...oh life.  LOL  Plus, I need to hit the gym!!!

Here you go...and definitely do it yourself.

Two Points...For real??

i was reading through this week's weekly weight watchers book and in the middle they have an article called "the active life".  now on the second page of this article there is a fancy bubble with the exercise rx....  The first sentence says....

To stay healthy and lower your risk of chronic disease, we encourage you to set a goal of 14 activity PointsPlus a week - an average of just 2 a day.

For those who aren't WW-ites...points are how we work.  It's easy for me and not for others.  I like to cook and eat my own food and I can do that.  Points are even judged for our exercise. It just depends on how intense you workout.

So...I was flipping through the book during yesterday's meeting and I chuckled out loud.  My leader asked what made me laugh and I replied "Fourteen points a week for exercise?"  She looked at me and with her fabulous southern drawl said..."Honey, YOU ignore this."

LOL  Normally on a good week I earn about 104+ points in exercise. Seriously and i try to challenge myself to break the previous weeks number.  I'm competitive with myself.  I make it my goal to get at least 40-55 minutes of cardio done....5 to 6 days a week.  Some days I even double up my duty.  Like Tuesday and Fridays I do Zumba in the evening and Monday and Friday mornings I do Spinning....in addition to the elliptical and the treadmill.  This is not even including my weight training and other types of fumbling/exercising that happens. So...14 points?  LOL

Other than this funny...life has been rather normal.  I did weigh-in...gained 2 lbs. (Haaa...2 the magic number this week.)  I'm not mad.  I had an awful week...the ups and downs of wheat and the lack of exercise (only 41 points. bwaaah!).  I feel good and I'm looking forward to an interesting week coming up.  Looking towards lots of singing, exercising and living a fun life.


......peace and blessings........

getting back to business....

nothing like getting home from a rehearsal early...so i can go back to translating music that i'm excited about singing.  *twirl*

anty-who.  yesterday i felt like true hell. today i feel like i can conquer the world.  so after a tad bit of rehashing the food of the day before...i had 2 things that i don't regularly eat.  1. chicken parmesean...fried chicken cutlet and 2. angel hair pasta....wheat. ahhh wheat.  the dreaded wheat.

so guess who really knows that wheat irritates her tummy....uhhh...me.  i will get it in my head.  i swear i will...prayerfully soon.  bwaaah.

other than the non tummy blues today....i've had a wonderful day.  i did 35 minutes on the recumbent bike and then i ran home and did burn circuit 1 of Chalean Extreme.  i felt so good. i've tracked and i feel great. nothing like a happy tummy.  back to no fried foods and no wheat.

well, it is time to tackle some more puccini....

.....peace and blessings......

Monday is almost over...but not yet...

the day has gotten better...but i forgot to do the Friend Making Monday from All the Weigh...

Trying to put the brakes on a speeding car....

that's the way i'm feeling right now....like i'm a speeding car going on i-95 at a 100mph. gaah.  i woke up this morning feeling awful...so awful i'm feeling just full of awe.  it's bad.

this past weekend was my church's outing and i had a wonderful time.  i went prepared with my own food...baked chicken, some shrimp, huge salad and tons of fruit.  but there was a liquid enemy there...alcohol.  i kept it under control, but still.  for someone who hasn't had a drink since christmas...it was something.  then yesterday i had some chicken parmesan...yummo...but boo.hoo right now.  lol

i feel blah, sluggish and my stomach is not my friend at the moment.  so right now, i'm nursing water and peppermint tea.  hopefully my stomach will get it together soon cause i want to exercise. *sigh*

okay...i'm going back to translating the newest opera to learn Il Tabarro...i'm sooooooo excited about it.  have a great day all.

...........peace and blessings..........

Muck and Mire...Day 2....

Sweet Jesus alive.  Today was absolutely no better than yesterday.  Actually even worse.  Since I'm a freelance artist...I was grateful that I had no plans and could stay in bed all day.  Literally.

I got up at my usual around 6:40 and I was dizzy.  Dizzy and mad...trying to convince myself that I could make it to the gym.  I get myself together and in the car to do alternate side parking...it didn't happen.  I ran by the post, got a cup of Dunkin coffee and then sat in the car and read The Help.  At 10, when alternate side was done...I couldn't move.  I sat there reading for another 45 minutes.

I came in the house and the thought of food repulsed me...so in the bed I went.  I got up around 3 hoping I could get it together...washed some dishes, cleaned up my stove and stuff, took out the recycling and garbage....naw...back to bed.  Yea, I was in the bed all day and the cat watched me like a hawk...ALL.DAY.  *sigh*

Being in the bed made me miss my weigh-in, which I'm going to try and hit tomorrow.  I had planned to cook lunch...didn't happen until dinner.  Yea...that means I didn't get up until almost 6.  I ate well for dinner...a Dijon sauced tilapia, corn on the cob and a huge salad.  I feel much better and hope I can get some exercise going tomorrow.  If not...I will GAG. LOL

Hope everyone had a fabulous day.  I'm off to translate some music....

.....peace and blessings.....

Pushing through the muck and mire...LOL

I started this last night and I couldn't finish it.  I'm trying to complete it...again because I'm here pushing through my personal muck and mire.  I don't want to go to the gym.  The gym hasn't insulted me or done anything to me...I just don't want to go.  I don't want to do any cardio.  I don't want to do any weights.  Yea, my own muck and mire.

Yes, I did go to the gym yesterday.  It was like pulling teeth.  Normally, I hit the gym about 9 and I'm pumped and excited.  Yesterday not the case.  I realized how late it was when I saw the intro to The View.  Gaah.  I hit the gym, plugged in one of my favorite opera singers and then got my time done.  To be honest, I feel SOOOOOOOO much better, but I don't wanna go.  LOL

Right now I should be tackling through my Couch to 5K walk/run and then my ChaLean Extreme.  Instead I'm here polishing my nails.  Pish.posh.  Since tomorrow is my weigh in day, I'll definitely hit the gym soon.  Plus, I've been so focused and I've been eating clean...

Oh well...I'll get there eventually.  I hope y'all have a fabulous and very productive day.  After I finally hit the gym, there is some Norma (the opera) in my future....

.....peace and blessings.....

Friend Making Monday......

I'm up early eating breakfast before heading to my Monday Spinning class and decided to do some blog surfing.  I thought I would hit up All The Weigh and see if the FMM was up...and it was!!!

1. What is your favorite thing about Summer? It is warm.  I hate cold weather.

2. What is your favorite outdoor activity? Walking right now.  I'm trying to make biking apart of that as well.. Well.....

3. If you had to choose, would you prefer to be too hot or too cold? I rather be too hot than too cold.

4. Does your appetite increase or decrease during warmer months? Does it stay the same?  I like to eat so it really doesn't matter.  LOL  

5. What is your favorite seasonal Summer fruit? Peaches....yummmmm

6. Would you prefer to spend a hot summer day at the mall or at a swimming pool? The swimming pool.  I haven't done that in awhile.  *idea, idea*

7. Are you more likely to tan or sunburn? Tan, but I'm trying to be more responsible as I get older...no sun for me period. *gaaaaah*

8. How does your routine change when Summer begins? It doesn't.  I'm constantly in learning music mode or perfecting music mode....so it is the same 24/7/365.

9. What is the temperature outside where you are today? Since it is early in the am....73...but i know the humidity level is rather high.

10.  What is your favorite Summer holiday? I love summer...every day is a holiday to me!

If I can keep the faith

Sometimes burdens and afflictions press my soul, oh yes, they do,

But that only makes me more determined to reach my goal

If I can hold out, If I can keep the faith,

In God's own time, my change will come, it will come.

In God's own time, my change will come, it will come. - James Cleveland

That was the lyric to one of the songs we sang today in church this morning.  By now, one would get the vibe that I'm a church going Christian.  That's not what this post is all about.  It is about keeping the faith.

When people start talking about losing weight, others are so damn opinionated and they think this is an easy feat.  "Just eat less and exercise and it will happen."  Granted, that is true, but a lot of time, it is about being determined and keeping the faith.  Losing weight takes patience, focus and a TON of faith.

In my about me section I talked about how I gained a ton of weight in college.  I did and every summer I attempted to lose weight.  As a NYer it is easy to just walk and do all kinds a things that can help you lose weight, but being in KY it didn't work that way.  I lived in a city where you had to drive really to get anywhere or as a student you could go to the gym....where the athletes trained. *eye roll*

As I tackle this journey...watching the scale go down and watching my clothes get bigger and bigger, I was reminded this morning to keep the faith.  Sometimes we don't understand why things don't happen when we think they should happen.  Obviously, because it is not the right time.

I still can't say what possessed me a few weeks ago to get really focused.  Whatever it is, I'm just grateful.  Sooooooo grateful.  And now I'm determined to reach my goal.

.......peace and blessings......

Couch to....Jesus keep me near the cross....

Pepper napping...

Haa!!  Sometimes I tickle myself, but honestly this Couch to 5k thing makes me call Jesus...LOUDLY...all the time.  Today was no different.  I had to get up early cause I was heading to the doctor to check on my blood pressure.   I hit the gym at 7:45AM, call the po-lice cause the world is coming to an end if i'm in the gym before 10am, and started on the beginners week of Couch to 5K.  I can't seem to get off of the first week of this program cause it is taxing and I feel like death every time.  Antywho...I pressed on.  When I got to the 3rd run segment, I heard someone singing "i ain't gonna let nobawdy turn me roun', turn me roun', turn me roun'".  In all honesty, it was what I needed to hear at that moment cause I was about to give this minute the finger and walk.  The slay down...when I look to my left to figure out the voice, there was this big ole white man who look like he was a linebacker for the Jets.  Seriously.


So how was your 4th?  Mine was good and quiet and calm...just what was needed.  I went to BJ's and Target, gymmed with my friend, and did my ChaLean Extreme.  I movied with the mom...Madea's Witness Protection and then headed home to cook.  I ate REALLY well and tracked and felt really good.


Yesterday...well...LOL.  I didn't eat so well.  Well, lemme rephrase that.  I ate too much.  The mom and I went to our weekly meeting (I lost a pound and she lost 1.8), then she said she wanted to go to City Island.  I LOVE seafood so I couldn't turn down that offer.  At the restaurant I ate white bread and a white potato with my lunch.  I haven't had either one in over 5 weeks...and to be quite honest, I've been feeling amazing.  I can't wait until I can shake the white sugar....but I have a reckless sweet tooth so I keep praying.


Anyway, when you are constantly eating smaller meals, when you eat a huge one....you feel the difference.  Lord knows I did and then I panicked.  Haaa!!  I drank so much water when I got in that I was up half the night running to the bathroom.  


Oh well, I'm off to grab a cat nap...and most likely my 14 year old cat, Pepper, will join me.  Besides needing it because I didn't sleep well...but I have plans to go to Zumba at 6.  Originally I was gonna do Cardio Kickboxing...but I ain't feelin' driving downtown it at the moment.  Bwaah...  Cardio is cardio ain't it?


Until later...


....peace and blessings.....

Solid....Solid as a Rock, Rock, Rock....

Haa!  That's the song that got me through Spinning today.  Baaaaaabahy...lemme tell you.  For 30 minutes of the 45 minute class I prayed and sang all of the 80's hits that were being played.  I pushed myself and my body was OVAH me.  No matter how annoyed I am in the heat of the class, when I get done...I feel so much stronger.  When I got home from the gym I pushed through the ChaLean Extreme Burn Circuit 3 and the Ab Burner.  Yea...that Ab Burner....makes me want to say awful un-Christian words.  Gaaaah....grrr....  I survived.  Nothing left to say.  LOL


Well here are the Friend Making Monday Questions from All The Weigh....

Ugh...and LOVE!

off to spinning for the 1st time in a minute

Ugh is for modems breaking down.  Gaaah...grrr...pish-posh.  This past Wednesday i knew my modem had bit the dust, but i couldn't convince myself that it is real.  Sometimes i wonder about my sanity. *shrug*  I finally exchanged it yesterday and lemme say...TWC was a mess.  ROFL...a mess.  Needless to say I waited, cause I'm typing this.


So on to the loves....

1. I've survived 2 days of Couch to 5K.  Last Thursday was my first day.  I've been using the Skimble app....which is amazing when i'm in the gym.  Yesterday was harder than the first day, but i heard that was the case.  IT DOESN'T matter...i'm pressing on with this running business.  i feel so...amazed and proud of myself.
2. ChaLean Extreme...okay...love, love.  The 40 minutes don't seem like hell.  As much as i loved the woman who was my trainer, i don't feel bored or crazed with it. Looking forward to LEAN muscles in 90 days.
3. Spinning...  This past Friday the plan was to go to Zumba.  I woke up late and said..."self...you are going to do something different."  Self went to spinning.  The first 15 minutes i wanted to quit.  Then i remembered...i had to.  JUST HAD TO!  i took my eyes off of the clock and pressed on.  The next thing I knew she said this was the last hill climb and we would be cooling down in a minute. Go.me.
4. Food wise...i'm killing.  i know i'm killing.  LOL  my body knows i'm killing and i never feel like i've missed out on a meal.  Nothing like eating healthy and feeling good.
5. Weigh in wise...i'm down 13 lbs via Weight Watchers scale.  The other day i woke up and i was down 15.  LOL  I'll go with my scale...it inspires me to keep pressing on.  ROFL

Okay...off to watch the rest of Extreme Makeover: Weight loss Edition.  Looking forward to a healthy week and tons of practicing...

.....peace and blessings....