Some Days are Just....

Some days are just...crazy...and throw you in a loop.  I'm working hard and I put on something and I still feel the chub that I was almost 30+ pounds ago.  We all have those days.

Today was my 3rd day in a row of Bikram practice this week.  I love Bikram, I've said that before, but I realize I get annoyed with others who cramp my practice style.  I get to the studio early so I can lay my mat and towel down, get all situated the way I need to keep myself sane, etc.  Today right as we are gearing up for the first breathing exercises, a couple ran into the already cramped room.  Thankfully, my teacher who is a witty woman, mentioned that getting to class on time is imperative.  She also mentioned that it was unfair to all of us who get to class on time and set up...to now be cramped up. *sigh*  By the time we got to the Dandayamana - Bibhaktapada - Janushirasana, I was feeling claustrophobic.  Just too many FOLKS. 

Grrr....

The teacher also had a funny story about people who refuse to breathe in and out through their nose.  She said she was in practice one day and this guy next to her was breathing his cold/allergy filled breath all on her during rest between the cobra pose.  In her words, it was the most disgusting part of her practice.  Bwaaaaahaha!!  At the time she was telling this story, we were in the cobra pose and i was feeling the same way.  The woman next to me was breathing through her mouth all on my shoulder.  I just wanted to yell out..."BOO CLOSE YOUR DAMN MOUTH."  LOL *sigh*

Oyi, oyi....LOL....

Well, I'm off to nap so I can practice before church service tonight.  

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

Day Two...Feeling Better

Today...I've been frumping around.  I didn't sleep well last night because my leg was KILLING me.  Needless to say I was not happy, but also grateful that I freelance because I would have been a horror at a 9-5 job.

While sitting here frumping and going through tons of gluten-free recipes, my leg started feeling better.  Actually, while I'm here typing I am feeling a tons better.  YAY!!  Hopefully Bikram will be on my Saturday to do list!!

Not more to post.  I've eaten well for the past two days...tons of veggies, light on the legumes.  Going to make lunch for tomorrow so I won't be ready to hit people after yoga.

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

Monday, Schmonday.....

*sigh*   Last week was a hard week.  I probably needed to blog because I now feel like I was on a slippery slope down to bad habits.  Between the gummy bears and Chex Mix Cheddar, I've been out of control.  Well out of control in comparison to being in control for the past 9 weeks.  When you have been as focused as I have...what I've done this past week is out of control. *sigh*  It happens and now my mind is back in the game.

I also didn't weigh in last Thursday.  That's also bad.  It's okay, I got on the scale this morning and now my mind is back.  I've eaten breakfast and I'm here letting it digest while catching up on last night's Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition.  The show inspires me to keep in the "game".

Last Friday I got a drift of how strong I've gotten.  For my couch to 5K for the first month I was using Skimble's Workout Trainer Beginners Running Program.  The other day I was talking to a friend and she said, "My couch to 5K program doesn't work like yours.  Are you sure you're doing what I'm doing?"  She sent me a link and I realized...no, I wasn't doing the same thing.  LOL

Well, I did the "official" Couch to 5K Day 1.  And you know what....I made it.  LOL  I made it through the 90 second walks and 60 second runs...8 runs.  *whew*  I also made it through the day without a nap and 2 hours of practicing.  *twirl*  Getting stronger makes me really happy....even when I bomb food wise.

The goal for this week is to track, track, track my food and my exercise.  Whoever lied and said this was easy....did just that L.I.E.D. *eye roll*

As with every Monday....Friend Making Monday: Inappropriate Questions...Lessgo!!!

In the Kitchen....

So the plan was to do better about blogging this week.  Didn't happen.  Grr!!!  There is a lot of stuff poppin' musically and I'm grateful, but I feel like I'm neglecting my blog. *sigh*

Last week was good weight wise.  I lost another 3.8 pounds.  YaY me!!  I feel more focused with each day.  I've even been very religiously working on the Couch to 5K program.  Additional weight loss has helped there as well.  And...my favorite accomplishment of last week is tackling the damn Cybex machine.  I don't know if I've blogged about my hate of that machine.  I've made it through a few episodes with it...and survived and a ton of sweat on da FLOOR.  *Amen*  LOL

Well as with every Monday...I have to do All the Weigh's Friend Making Monday Meme.  I just LOVE this thing weekly.

Well...LEEESSSGOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

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..........

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.....

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....

I'm learning

Yesterday was really a rough day mentally and emotionally.  I can't remember if I stated that my friend's husband died yesterday morning.  He was about 36/37...had pneumonia.  They just had a baby in January.  It just really got me.  My friend has been through so much.  She lost her mother recently to ALS, her dad 2 or 3 years ago to cancer,  her grandmother's recently....yea a lot.  When I read that the hubby passed....it was like someone had kicked me in the stomach.  I just wanted to eat all day long.  I never made the gym.  I spent the day practicing and trying to wrap my mind about how my friend was handling all of this.


By 10 after being filled with music and a few episodes of Mad Men, I remembered I had chocolate in the house.  *bad news*  I ate about 8 small pieces of a Mil.ka Strawberry Bar that I love.  *sigh*  Oh well, when I hit the scale this morning....yea, i hit it daily to keep me in check...it said I was down 2 more pounds.  *whew*


I keep pressing on.


So....what am i learning?  i'm learning the importance of making time to be prepared.  does that make sense?  well today i went to bj's and stocked up.  i got some collard greens, even though i wanted kale, some salad fixings, black bean burgers, sweet potato fries (my personal crack) and some chicken breasts.  if it is here...i have NO excuses.  i feel focused and ready.  right now as i type...i'm cooking my collards so they will be ready for tomorrow.  


yay me...i'm learning....i really am.


a little quote from my zumba teacher before i go..."to accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe" Anatole France  


i'm believing....


peace and blessings.....

OOooops...

It has been almost a week and it really was my plan to blog before now.  *shrug*

For starters, I'm tired.  I mean SERIOUSLY tired.  LOL  Up until yesterday, I've been doing the gym 7 days a week and twice a day.  Yesterday my body was like...*ahem*  If you want to function, you won't do that.  LOL  And I didn't.  I do listen sometimes.  LOL

So, tomorrow will be my last day of my 21 Day Challenge.  I realized, as I was sitting in church tonight, that not only have I given up bread and rice, but unconsciously I've given up soda and candy. *go me!!*  I don't know if I mentioned it, but my trigger foods are bread and rice.  I love them...can make meals off of them...etc. 

How has that worked out for me you ask?  I feel great.  Besides being tired, I am mentally better, more focused...and I realized that I have built my 21 day habit...which is actually what I wanted to do.  I've learned that I can sit at a table with my favorite type of foccacia at Carmine's, and I don't have to eat it. #winning  LOL

As of Monday, I create a new challenge.  What?  21 Days of riding my bike. *church pray*.  My bike has been in my store room fore almost 2 weeks...put together and me saying I'm going to ride it. *sigh*  So.......the plan is to at least 3 times a week ride and 2 times a week Zumba, yes...on my Round 2 of the gym.

Now...my hanging on a thread self is going to finish watching Necessary Roughness and think about the beautiful lunch I shall make tomorrow...bread free.  LOL

Peace Out!!!

So...it is what it is...

I went to weigh-in today.  I've lost 0.6.

So if you round it off that is closer to 1 pound.  LOL  I'll take it.  Oh yea, I'm doing Weight Watchers.  I'm not finding it a struggle.  I am actually finding it easier than I have the 4, 5, or wait...6 times I've tried it.  LOL  I'm even incorporating more fruit into my diet.  I can't begin to tell you how great I feel.  In total since July 15th, I've lost almost 10 lbs. (YaY me!!)

My mom said today...yes, she is doing it with me...that she was proud of me.  I've gone 14 days...no bread or rice and 45+ minutes of exercise a day.  I'll take my 0.6 loss.  It takes a lot of determination and constantly talking myself off of a "sugar/rice/bread" bridge. 

I press on knowing that I'm going in the right direction and even without scale numbers...I have lost back fat.  Hey...a woman can't win them all, but she will take what she can get!!

Peace out!!

Processing as I grow

40 Days To change/break a habit.

90 Days To confirm the habit.

120 Days The new habit is who you are.

1000 Days You have mastered the new habit.

I needed to see this...as I am working on changing habits and creating new habits. *sigh* Life is hard.