It's A New Day, It's A New Dawn...

Hello!  I could catch you up on all that has happened since September, but who needs all of that?!?  I have done lots of thinking, soul searching, planning, dreaming, reading, etc...  As of now, I have had 4 procedures to my neck this year.  The last 2 should be it for at least 6 months.  I am finally "on go" to lift upper body again.  It feels WoNDErFuL to have a bar or DB in my hands again.  (It's really the little, I mean BIG, things in life isn't it!)  AS far as blogging, I have mixed feelings.  With so much social media, my life is already laid out for most to see.  Yes, I control what goes out and do not concern myself too much with how it is perceived.  My only hope is that I help in some way to motivate others to lead a less sedentary lifestyle no matter what their age or physical limitations.  It is so encouraging to get texts, or be inboxed on FB about how much my "putting it out there" inspired others to do more, get started, or push harder.  Any one who has ever contacted me knows I will do anything to help them, even training them one on one.  My goal is not to make money, (I leave the money making to the pros) but to help others be the best they can be. 

This is my online journal, and for that reason, I use this to document where I am and where I have come from.  Not too much change from last year at this time.  Considering this was my year to get something done with my neck, most of this year I have not been able to lift upper body, or when I was able to it was modified greatly.  So, what's my wish for 2014?  Absolutely, hands down, no question at all, to have the body I dream of having.  I plan to give it everything I've got.  :)

 

 

Day 4 BAbY!

Shoulders/Arms:

Rev peck deck 5 X 10

Pullthoughs 4 X 10

Front raises 3 X 10, 1 X 5

BB curl 4 X 10 ss w

Skull crushers (pushed out) 4 X 10

Inc DB curl 3 X 8 ss w

DB tri ext 3 X 8

WOD:

5 rounds

spin bike 2 minutes

100 jump ropes

Worked out in the gym, did the WOD in my garage at about 5:00 in the lovely-NOT Louisiana heat.  Sweat was poring off me.  Better than a sauna!  :)

I noticed this pool of sweat under me from the spin bike, ugh gross, but beautiful at the same time.  :)

 

Hair was sticking to my face I was so drenched.  Loving it!!

Day 3! Whoot Whoot!!

Chest:
Dec. DB press 4 X 10 (love these for some reason)
Inc BB press 1 X warmup 5 X 5 (heavy)- sucks I can't go any heavier and grunt it out bc Docs do not want me to press my neck into the bench when lifting. 
Mach. inc. press 4 X 8-10
Dec pushup 2 X failure
WOD:
3 rounds for time-
25 kettlebells
10 burpees (was supposed to be 25, but I am not in burpee shape yet)
25 mountain climbers
Went home and did 15 min on inc tread.

Still loving the change up of doing the crossfit in addition to my workouts.  :)
More later...

Day 2 of WOD Heaven

Let's Do This!

 

Legs (Day 1 of 2):

Leg Press 1 X warmup, 5 X 12

SM lunge 5 X 10, 8, 5, 5, 4 ea.

DB pile sq 3 X 15

Weighted walking lunges 5 X

Lying leg curl 5 X 10

WOD:

Run 800m

40 kettlebell swings (used 25lb-

was still sore from previous back workout)

Run 400m

20 kettlebell swings

 

My version of the human pancake...done on both sides.  Heehe

Yes, Its Been A While

Not gonna go into how life is treating me, other than to say I have 2 teenage daughters; one in high school and one in college....life is busy!  I have missed you guys, and I try to keep up with everyone's blog.  (Love reading your posts, for some reason I can't always comment when I want to bc of computer issues, but keep them coming) 

Over the weekend I went to watch a few friends compete in a cross fit trial.  LOVED it!  I was like a kid in a CaNdY store.  Love being around like minded fitness peeps.  Everyone looked great, I even had a brief girl crush going on.  Really inspired me to add a little into my workouts - as cardio, of course.  So for this week I have decided to end every workout with a WOD and just because I want to keep track of them, I am going to post.

Monday:
Back:
DL 5 X 8
Wide grip BB cable row 4 X 12 (really worked on "holds")
DB row 4 X 8 (Finished off with 80's)
Straight arm pulldowns 4 X 10
Weighted hypers 4 X 15 (feeling this one today)
WOD:
AMRAP for 21 minutes-
Row 1000 m
Run 400 m

Loved the change of pace for cardio...

Here are some pics I took over the weekend....trying to whittle my waist down for Vaca next week ....TAHOE BABY!!!!

Kerry at "No Ordinary Moments" ....a must read

Kerry over at No Ordinary Moments wrote this:  Being Still Long Enough To Hear The Messages

I left her a message that still feels like it has fallen short of my gratitude for her writing exactly what has been on my heart for quite some time.  No other words are necessary once you read her post.
Crystal

No appologies!

This is my blog and one of the reasons I have it is to journal my journey of obtaining MY best body.  Let's face it, LIFE happens to all of us.  We can sit behind this computer screen and act as if it doesn't affect our time in the gym or our diet, but none of us are SuPeR HUmAn.  So, No Apologies today!  Yes, I am dealing, dealing in my own way.  Right/Wrong, who knows.....who cares..... 
 
MeMe's do speak to me.  Silly, might be, but I hope by sharing my little speck of the universe someone else might get just what they need-whatever "that" is. 

So, yes, I am busting it in the gym with all my emotions.  I plan to CRUSH back and bi's this evening in a way that every man in the facility will have jaws dropped and slide out of my way when I walk by.  My diet, other than my craving for fruit chews (only on the weekend) is pretty darn good.  Yes, I am "working out" 7 days a week.  Gotta quiet my mind somehow.  What time I am not working out, I am spending the last few seconds of having my oldest daughter home before she leaves for college next month. 

(Yea, you get the picture now, LOTS of emotions)

 

Breakup

This time I had to make a decision about what is best for the long term.  Making this decision has been one of the hardest things I have had to do.  It's so different when the other person hasn't made you mad or hurt you.  I have worried about him.  I even tried to be a creeper just so I would know he was ok.  Overall, I know I am on the right path and that it will be better for him too.  All of that doesn't make it any easier.  In fact, I kinda feel like I am in limbo.  Waiting.....for what I don't know, but I feel like there should be this big epiphany.  Still not there yet...

So while I wait, these are some things that spoke to me this past week:

Life is what you make it.

Week Thoughts in Pics

I haven't done this in a while, but I wanted to share a little of my thoughts with you guys.  Maybe one of these is meant for you...

This is my 2nd favorite saying of all times...

"Don't let what you can't do keep you from doing what you can do"

Change is  ............

25 THinGs I KnOW AbOuT MysELf

Thanks to those of you who inspired this post with your very own. 

 It was nice to "learn" a bit more about you guys. 

I hope after you read this you feel the same.  I have struggled with wanting to write anything lately as it seems like one big battle with my health and even as I type that I want to correct myself and say, my "battle" is soooo petty and minor in the grand scheme of life. That is why I hate to talk about it or discuss it on here as there are those who truly have been dealt a bad hand in life and have actual day to day struggles that would make mine seem like a cake walk.  As with human nature though, our own struggles are the ones that eat up our time and therefore "seem" more real than anyone else's.  So I will not bore you to tears, just want to say I did have Facet Injections done 7/3/13 to my C4-5 & C5-6.  I feel so much better!!!  I have even taken naps during the day which is very unlike me.  Also, my Dr. who preformed the procedure appears to workout or has worked out to a degree that he understands the movements.  He has opened up shoulders and chest with LIMITATIONS for me.  After not working either for the last 3 months, I am LOVING being back in the groove with the ability to work every body part whether limited or not.  So while I am not hurting........I am so SORE from my newly worked body parts.  LOVIN IT!

Without further ado, here are 25 things you may not know about me:

1. I LOVE to read!  Started reading novels around age 11-12 and never stopped.  Favorite place to read is in the bathtub.
2. I do not like the "new" taste of peanut butter.  Has anyone else noticed the change?  Why you gotta go mess with my stuff?!>!>
3. I do not tan anymore, well until this week.  Harley is competing in the State show and I am not about looking like Casper next to Oompa Loompa.  BUT when I do tan, I tan very easily.
4. When I wake up I try to dissect my dreams.  I have gone onto websites that help you determine what a particular image in your dream may mean.  I do know there is a lot of underlying psychological issues I have never properly dealt with.
5. I am a Pyro.  LOVE to play with fire.  No, I should not have been a fireman, I don't want to put them out, I want to build them.
6. If I am addicted to any product, I would have to say it is eye drops.  Not that I use them daily, but I will get very upset if I can't find them or I am out.
7. I enjoy yard work, gardening, working outside.....I get a little too excited over new blooms on my flowers or vegetables.
8. My boss is about to build a new office and I have planned the location of  my office around the easiest access to the kitchen and bathroom.  How many of you have thought about that one?
9. There are times I may take 3 baths in a day.  I always shower in the morning, but generally soak in the evening.
10. I have a very sensitive gag reflex.  Sometimes just talking about graphic stuff can cause me to gag.
11. My babies are 15 and 17.  While there are many events with those ages that make me sad, I am happy my babies are no longer babies.
12. Music is a MUST in my life.  I have the weirdest sense that no matter what situation, my mind will automatically pick out a song to match.  Before I even realize what is going on, I am humming or singing a song that is perfect for what I am going through.
13. I wear glasses.  Supposed to only wear them when I read, but I think I should be wearing them all the time.  Sometimes we just know this stuff.
14. I have very few close female friends.  The saying that friendships take an investment of your time is so true.  With my situations with my daughters I never wanted to take any time away from them, so I haven't gotten around to developing those close friendships. 
15. I am a commercial insurance specialist.
16. MeMe's make my day.
17. I am still discovering myself at 37...
18. I am in love with the new Hannibal series and have a slight crush on Mads, something about blond "bad boys".
19. Even though I work at a computer all day, I feel computer illiterate.
20. I have been a beginner golfer for 6 years.  Can't seem to put in the time to develop it further, but I try any chance I can.
21. I am an Aries & parts of that that best describes me are;  lives life head first, always ready for action, inquisitive nature, passionate, loves physicality, and desires organization.
22. When I bake, I love to play the 90's station on my TV and dance around the kitchen.
23. Baking a desert for the 1st time for a special occasion is kinda my thing.  It's always a 50/50 crap shoot.
24. I am a selfish person in the gym.  Really do not like to workout with anyone else.  I will occasionally workout with someone, but prefer to be alone.
25. Hi, my name is Crystal.  I just discovered Pinterest & I AM ADDICTED!!  :)

I will leave you with my favorite life saying:

This one has gotten me through many situations.

 

SCHWARZENEGGER

I just had to post this:

Thank you Ms. Ashley over at Live, Love, & Lift for sending it to me!  You are the BEST!  <3 Ya!

On an aside, I am about to go to Chiropractor # 3 in hopes of any answer other than injections, but do have an appointment with a Physical Medicine "injection" Doc July 1st if all else fails.  I am still working out in some form or fashion 6-7 days a week and getting after my diet.  My weight is holding steady, which is very frustrating, but not something I am letting control me bc of my physical state of the moment.  Do not want to bore you with details.....just get after it!

Later babes!

LeG WoRkOuT fRoM HeLL: Kris Gethin's Quad Radical Equation

Guys I found this workout on bodybuilding.com the other day and was sooo excited about getting to do it.  It is not too often that I stumble on a workout that makes me giddy.  This one did.  Watching the video, I knew it was going to be painful, make me want to puke, and completely test every bit of stamina I possess.  It delivered all that and more.  This is on my list of must do leg workouts of all times.  (A bit of caution here:  I don't know about your guys who are carb depleted or seriously dieted down in the last stages of contest prep, it might be better to wait till after your show to give this one a whirl.  Simply I am worried your body may not be able to recover well enough)  OK so you are on your own if you do it.  :) 

With out further ado.......

Kris Gethin's Leg Workout from Hell

Make sure you watch the video on the link.  Several exercise need a little more in depth explaining than a simple type out...

Here is the short and sweet version:

Leg Ext

2 warm up sets then

1 X 100 dropset

1 X 60 partials

<2 min rest>

Superset of

Leg press 2 X 56

DB Sissy Sq 2 X 40

<2 min rest>

Superset of w no rest

Hill Squat (Romanian Split Sq) 3 X 20

Hamstring Curls 3 X 15

(these are single leg movements so you will actually feel like you have done 6 sets of ea)

<2 min rest>

Leg ext

1 X 100 dropset

1 X 60 partials

I wish I had someone video me walking to my car after this.  I was one funny looking girl.  By the time I got in the bathtub to soak last night I could already feel the soreness setting in.  This morning I expected not to be able to walk when I got up, but I did get up and do 20 min of treadmill work.  I am pleasantly sore, but not crazy hurting.  I do get DOMS bad, so I expect tomorrow I will need help on and off the potty.  :)

Enjoy!!!

What's the hardest advice to take?

Your own.  Over the past week or so I have been telling everyone to stick to the plan.  Trust the plan.  The plan will work.  And it has, but just not as I have wanted.  So what is the definition of insanity?  Funny that as I say it to myself I am completely contradicting what I have been telling everyone else all week.  Well, yes and no.  The 1st week of tightening up my diet and adding HIIT, I lost 2 and 1/2 lbs.  This week after being 100% on both diet and exercise plan I gained 1/2 lb and my measurements slide up slightly.  So what am I going to do?  I have gone back to the drawing board, revamped the diet plan, revisited what workouts I feel are a must, and decided a new course of action for the next week.  The short and sweet of it is, I have added one more day of HIIT, and on average increased my carbs intake, while lowering my average protein and fat intake.  After looking at the new macros, I feel much better about this coming week.  The #'s will tell the tale though.
Just so you have an idea of what I am talking about, here are the last 2 weeks of daily average #s (keep in mind I am on a carb cycle, so each day varies and this is just the 7 day average:
Avg Protein:  265
Avg Carb:  81
Avg Fat 68

The averages per day this week will look more like this:
Avg Protein:  201
Avg Carb:  111
Avg Fat:  45

For my 5'9" 154ish lb frame the calories works out to be roughly 12X my body weight, which to cut is just about the right range.

So yes, I am sticking to the plan, but no, it will be a new design....

Week 1 CheckIn

Short and sweet.  Week oNe has been very productive.  On my way to 15% body fat and then to maintain year round.  I measured to start and remeasured yesterday at the week mark.  I am down 2 and 1/8 inches.  Yesterday I was supposed to weigh in at the gym as I still do not own a scale, but I completely forgot and I am very upset about that, but will weigh today bc I need a new baseline for Sunday's carb up.  All that means for those who are new to this lifestyle is that I carb cycle during the week.  Low, Mid, and High days of carbs.  Well Sunday is my High Carb day, about 290 grams of carbs, all clean, with only 40 gr of fats and of course my protein at about 245 gr.  So as you can see the fat content being so low, there is no room for ugly carbs.  :)  I take a baseline weight during the week, preferably in my case Thursday, then eat as planned through Monday.  I weight again on Monday because after eating a lot of carbs Sunday my body weight should be up or somewhere around my baseline, preferably somewhat less, meaning even after eating all those carbs my body turned that food into fuel vs. storing it as fat.  Last week my baseline was 156.5 on Thursday and I was at 156 on Monday.  So today when I weigh I should weigh less then 156 and therefore on Monday I will be looking for a # less than this week's baseline even after all the Sunday food.

Gosh, I hope that isn't clear as mud.  Also, no pics this week as I do not feel enough of a visual difference has taken place.  And of course I did not have my body fat measured again this week, because I don't think there would would be enough of a difference to report.  I think I will next week though.

Have a great Memorial Day weekend!  Remember what the day truly stands for and be ever so thankful we have all the freedoms we have because of those who have sacrificed. 

Fat Be Gone

Guys, I LOVE the fitness part of my life.  Everyday brings a new challenge.  Through it I have maintained a healthy lifestyle.  I practice clean eating, I say practice because yes, each day begins a new chapter.  There are times I run out of particular foods- as I only grocery shop once a month- so I have to make do with what I have.  No, I don't compete, so I never feel that tug of an quickly looming deadline.  Yes, I have had many injuries to deal with and work through.  Still trying to "fix" the two bulging disks in my neck.  In fact, my chiro told me yesterday that he was about to have to cut me loose because my insurance will not pay anymore.  I had to fire my PT last week because of some disagreement.  So I have hired a new Chiro which I start with today for traction.  I am trying to remain positive, but after 18ish chiro apts, I am no better than when I started.  No closer to being able to do a back, chest, or shoulder workout any time soon. 

Blah, blah, blah.....on a much cooler note, I went to have my hearing checked last week-nothing seriously wrong THANK YOU JESUS!- they took my blood pressure and heart rate.  My blood pressure was like 100/50 and my heart rate was 56 BABY!!!!!!!  I told Harley and he said "You don't even do cardio".  Heehe  most of you guys know what that means.  Go momma!  Go momma! 

OK to the point, I have SET A GOAL!  I can not count the times I have changed my diet, changed my training methods, changed/or added cardio, etc....  with no Goal in mind.  Harley says I have workout ADD.  It's true!  I LOVE to do it all and do it all at the same time.  I get bored easily, so I am constantly changing something up.  Since I have not had a goal that is cool, I could do that, but now FINALLY I have set a goal(s). 

I want to get to 15% body fat and maintain it year round.  So, I had Harley measure my bf Tuesday, I thought I would measure about 23-25%.  Yea, NO!  I was a whopping 29%.  WTH!!!  On any given Sunday I have oblique definition.  Well once again, thank you genetics for the thick legs I posses because the majority of my fat is in my legs.  Whats that you say?  Yes, YOU GOT TO GO!  Operation Fat Be Gone is officially underway.  :)  Measurements were taken this morning, meal plan designed, HIIT added to my schedule, I am ready.  My thought is to post once a week my updates, such as weight, measurements, bf measurement, etc...along with an occasional pic to keep me accountable. 

Thank for motivating me to finally set a goal.  You guys are an inspiration to me more than you will ever know! 

 <3 ya!
Crystal

Sup'

Sup' hope I didn't offend too terribly bad with the language, but honestly I don't know how anyone could look at that and not smile.  It's awesome.  Yesterday in the gym, a guy caught me up in a conversation (I write because of how unusual this is for me, I never talk in the gym).  Although he is nice and I respect him and his work effort in the gym, I found myself at points only half listening.  Although, he was listening and offering advise about my neck situation, I couldn't help but feel a bit cheated in my workout.  He told me at one point (this was probably where he lost me) that I needed to lower my intensity level and maybe have more conversations and such.  OK I am going to try to say this as respectfully as I can.....WTH!!!  Really??? Never has it crossed my mind to lower my intensity in the gym.  I am there to get the job done, not to chit chat.  Now don't get me wrong, there have been times (rarely) it has crossed my mind to maybe introduce myself to those I feel like I already know because we work out near each other everyday and I feel like I know them already.  So a name to go with a face might be nice, but that is all I need to know about these guys.  (And since I haven't introduced myself up till now, I doubt I will start anytime soon)

Taken this morning

One thing mentioned in the gym conversation, that I have given much thought to is how my lack of sleep affects all aspects of my life.  (Esp. my body's physical appearance)  I KILL it in the gym, or so I think and apparently those working around me think, my diet- while not a competition diet- is good.  Why can I not seem to make the gains I want to make?  I do believe it is because of my lack of sleep stemming from all my shoulder/neck pain which wakes me up or keeps me up just about every hour on the hour EVERY night.  We all know what rest does for muscle repair.  Therefore with my body never getting deep sleep, I think it is taking me FOREVER to see the results I long to see. 

Taken this morning

It has been a little over a month of PT and Chiro work for me.  I tried last Friday to do a back workout (nothing crazy or heavy) just to see if it was even remotely repaired enough.  YEA.................NO!  I hurt Friday through yesterday as payment for it.  That means no back, chest, shoulders for at least another couple of weeks if not a month.  Then I will re-evaluate to see where I am and if it will be possible to add them back.  Trying to keep a positive attitude about therapy.  I want to believe it will "heal" me, therefore I am giving it my all.  Life without back, chest, or shoulders, well let's not go there.

Here's to looking forward to a wonderful weekend and wishing you one too!  :)

Are you the Lion or the Gazelle?

Cinnamon Chicken Waldorf Salad

This is a recipe I pulled off of Bonnie Pfiester's site, pFIT.  I have adapted her version to better fit me and my taste buds and posted a picture yesterday on fb.  So for those of you looking to change up your chicken yet again, here ya go:
Sprinkle a healthy coating of cinnamon on 6-8 chicken breasts and bake
In one bowl dice up 2 medium apples
and pour 2 tbs of lemon juice over them
Once chicken is done, cut it into cubes and add in the 2 diced apples, along with 1/3 cup of craisins, 1/2 cup of diced onions (I have used and not used onions, this recipe is great either way, I do suggest purple onions though), and 1/3 cup chopped nuts (I used cashews on this last batch and they were a great surprise in taste).
In another bowl mix together 1/2 cup of low fat Hellman's Mayo, 1/2 cup Chobani greek yogurt, 1/2 cup orange juice, 1/8 cup apple cider vinegar, and 1 tbs stevia, salt to taste.
Once you have the last mixture a creamy texture, poor over chicken combo and mix together well.

DE-Lish!  Lots of flavor!

OK so I have been seeing a Chiro and PT for a month now and there have been some improvements, but not enough yet.  During this month, I have not touched a DB or BB nor done ANY upper body workouts what-so-ever.  I decided I wanted to give my body time to heal, (2 bulging disks in my neck + other spinal issues) so I have pounded lower body in any fashion I possibly could.  All that changes starting today (see you can make changes during the week, not everything has to wait for Monday-today is the day) I have been given the go ahead to do Deads, rows, and arm work.  Oh Geez, I am so excited to get in the gym this evening!!!  Still no shoulder work, no chest, and no lat pulldowns or any movement there in like, but that is cool.  I have enough to play with, I will be content for a while longer.  :)

Here is a pic I shot of my back this morning.  I wanted to document where I am starting again.

I can not wait!! 

Life is good!  Take care and have a great weekend you guys!

Crystal

 



I know, I know, Charles Poliquin that is...

I am a horrible blogger and fully expect to have my wrist popped (later that is).  Things are just very hectic right now; Chiro and PT apts (2-3 of each a week), a daughter who is a senior and all that entails, work, workouts, being a mom, etc...
The reason I am jumping on here today is to share a website I stumbled across that I think you might enjoy too.
www.charlespoliquin.com

Go under the Blog tab to read some of the articles I did.  I haven't found one yet that bored me.  :)  Much to pick up and learn. 

Enjoy!

Brief catch up in pics

I have two bulging disks in my neck.  No worries, both PT and Chiro say no weights, but I refuse to stop.  I told them both to fix me so I can get back to what I love, so for now, no upper body weights for 2 weeks.  Then I will decide from there.  Hey my legs need all the work they can get!  :)

My oldest baby is finishing up her last ball season.  :(  I thought I would be happy about this after all the years of so many games, but the closer it gets the sadder I get about it.

Also, with her last ball season comes senior pics, which this is one.  Guys, this is not even one of her best ones.  I had the pleasure of taking her pics and we had so much fun with it.  Editing made me finally realize what everyone has always said, she looks so much like me.  I don't see it in her features so much as in her essence if there is such a thing.  The way she holds herself, walks, tilts her head, etc...  Ok enough before I start crying.

This weekend is Prom....

My Birthday was yesterday (I am 37 before anyone asks) and my sister showed up at my office today with this.  Guys, I can never explain to you how much my sister means to me, there just aren't words.  She has always been everything for me.  Anyway, gosh I am so sentimental today, she got this beautiful necklace for me.  I LOVE IT!  It was the absolute perfect gift for me.  All the charms mean something to me as she picked the perfect ones.  The 2 little girls for my babies, the cross for my faith, the flip flop for my beach summer love affair, Love tag doesn't need to explained, but guys the 45 lb plate!  It has to be my favorite.  It is so unexpected, perfect.

This is something I wanted to share because it has stuck with me over the last week or so:

"Life always gives us

exactly the teacher we need

at every moment.

This includes every mosquito,

every misfortune,

every red light,

every traffic jam,

every obnoxious supervisor

(or employee)

every illness, every loss,

every moment of joy or depression,

every addiction,

every piece of garbage,

every breath.

Every moment is the guru."

~Charlotte Joko Beck~

I promise I will be posting updated pics soon.  Hopefully of my beautifully toned legs after all this leg work I am about to go though.  Heehe.  Well see. 

Oh and before I forget, a friend of mine tagged this on my FB page.  I thought many of you would enjoy:

Umm hummm that's right!

Beast Mode

I saw this and knew immediately, I was gonna HAVE to steal it!  I do not lift the 1st weight without plugging in my earphones.  No I am not snobby, No I am not anti-social....when my feet hit the gym floor I am there for one thing!

This is for all the rest of you who are exactly the same!  

Beast Mode Baby! 

More Calories, Yes Please!

For the longest I was hung up on "eating clean" about 70-80% of the time with the occasional BLT (Bite, Lick, or Taste) here or there.  Last week I decided to increase my calories, mostly carbs and a little more fat, because I was worried my metabolism was slowing down.  I lost about a half inch in my hips.  This week, I am increasing my calories again, already noticing my metabolism picking up the pace.  When you are sluggish, try adding in more calories.  Give your body more fuel to burn!
Yes, I will take a cup of brown rice with that chicken breast please!  :)

Just a Question...

It's a pretty simple question, "Is that all you've got?".

Source of HApPiNesS

Quick update then down to the matter at hand.....I am finally getting over the sickies enough to really get into my workouts again.  Guys, this CRAP has held on going on 3 weeks.  I HAVE NEVER BEEN SICK LIKE THIS EVER!  Diet is coming back around too.  I actually ordered one of Pauline Nordine"s Fighter books, which I am waiting very impatiently to get (been a week and still have not gotten it yet)  In this world of Amazon I guess I have gotten spoiled to next day delivery on everything.  So, long and short of it is, I need to shed some excess weight in order to be a happier person in my clothes and I guess eventually I will settle back down and get it done.

Enough of that already!  Today I want to RaNT a little bit about something that has been on my mind.  HaPpINesS!!  So few people seem to have it anymore.  No one is happy with their life, their job, their family, their path, etc...  It seems like Negative Nellys are running rampant lately.  The bad part is they try to spread their ugliness to everyone they come in contact with and it makes me want to scream.  For those of you who don't know, I am a fixer.  Simply, if you tell me a problem, I want to fix it.  Some say that is wrong, but I always think of how I feel.  If I come to you with a problem, I want you to try to help me fix it.  I do not understand fussing about something with no intention to fix it or try to make the situation better in some way. 

Here is what I have realized very late in life, 36 years old.  You need a hobby, a passion, something that you enjoy doing above all else.  You need to find time to do that whatever that is.  The majority of us are not wealthy enough to just say "screw it" to our jobs, so those are a must.  I know everyone reading this is going to think my life's passion is working out.....Well here is how I view that; working out is a MUST for me.  Gosh, that does not sound strong enough.  Working out is not an option.  It has to be done in my mind.  A hobby or a passion is something you can opt to do or not to do and working out does not fit into that category. 

No, for me, my passion is gardening and refinishing furniture.  These two I could get through life never ever doing again, but my life would seem bland and boring.  I would not have that giddy excitement I feel when thinking of my next project or the pride I feel getting it done.  I would become a Negative Nelly or an old bitter woman. 

Guys, life is what you make it.  Get out and find what excites you.  Then go do it!  Don't wait for life to happen to you.  You control your HaPpiNeSS!  Stop letting others rob you of your most precious commodity, TIME!  Stop letting them take that from you by rubbing their life resentment on you and you dwelling on that for the next couple of hours or worse days.  Decide today you are going to make you the best you you can be.  Life really is WAY to short for any of our time to be wasted on anything other than what makes us happy, passionate, and on fire!

Sickies

Guys, it has been a full week of the sickies here.  I felt it coming on Monday night, had way too much to do Tuesday to pay any attention.  By Tuesday night, I was feeling pretty miserable.  Wednesday, I had a Z pack called in honestly it didn't even phase me.  Thursday was horrible, finally Friday, I went to a walk in clinic and the Dr there gave me prescriptions for amoxicillin and prednisone.  I took both doses of those yesterday and left the Z pack out and I feel so much better today.  Which isn't saying a whole lot as I still can not even think of going to the gym, but at least my throat doesn't feel like it just went through a meat grinder.  I am de-germing EVERYTHING!!  Have been, but today will be a serious day of it.  I HAVE GOT TO GET BETTER AND GET IN THE GYM!!  OMG, I feel like that is worlds away.  It is so crazy what a few days away seems like.  And I think to myself, What a Wonderful World  No, I mean I think to myself how do people not want that rush of lifting.  Yea, well don't think I am all up on my high fitness horse just yet because Tuesday through Thursday I don't think I had the 1st bit of protein at all.  The thought of anything "solid" did not set well with me unless it was in the form of chocolate.  I think my body sustained on pure chocolate those days.  Friday I snapped out of it, still didn't eat "right", but I didn't eat any chocolate either.  This morning I have said It  Is Time......so I had my protein shake for breakfast.  I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!  And what a beautiful light it is!!  :)

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and that I am feeling 100% by Sunday!

I leave you with my latest ringtone, Enjoy!

A Little Friday Motivation

I have decided to make a motivation board for my bathroom mirror, I know kinda cheesy, but something I feel I need.  I want to have these beautiful ladies to inspire me when I am lagging or thinking about eating a poptart or when I think I can do without that cardio stuff.  These are pics I have found over time from several different sources, no, I have no clue who most are, but they are ALL awesome!

If you need a kick in the Derry Aire, or just to STEP IT UP A NOTCH!  Here ya go: 

I have thought this for a very long time, in much greater detail, so happy when I saw this pic posted.

This one is probably my favorite body of all, absolutely breathtaking!!

I fully intent to have this take a pic of me doing this pose one day...

DAMN!!!

And last but DEFINITELY not least, Miss Erin Stern!  Th'Woman!

Who wouldn't!  Jus saying...