Back to the Grind

Ahh routine...how I missed thee...let me count the ways...

I do love the holidays. A time to catch up, a time to give, a time to eat, drink and be merry, and a time for excuses. I admit it, I did a lot of excusing over the holidays...I can't work out because I have to holiday shop...I can't work out because I have x,y and z party to go to...I can't work out because I'm too tired. I call B.S. on myself. I've come to realize I have to have accountability for my fitness (or sometimes lack there of) actions.

People always ask me how I'm so motivated to do this and how can I motivate them. Well I'd be lying to you if I say motivation is easy, and that I stay motivated 24/7. I have my days, we all do. I have days where all I want to do is go home from work, veg out, put on my PJ's and rock out to some hulu.com. I have days were I'm kicking and screaming all the way to the gym. In all honesty, you have to ask yourself, "Do I really want to get healthy? Do I really want to feel better, mentally, emotionally and physically? Am I ready to put myself and my health first?" If you answered yes to these questions then what are you waiting for, jump on it! You're only going to get out of something what you put in. It's easy to get demotivated especially when you have a bad day or a week. Don't let that get you down...just remember this is a process, and you're the one in control. If I can do this you can do this. It's easy to fall into the ugly pit of temptation, and if you do, pick yourself up, dust your shoulder off, and keep moving forward.

Digging in the Pantry
So today I didn't do as well as I expected:
Breakfast: Some cinnamon thingy they had at work
Lunch: Healthy Choice Chicken noodle soup, cashews, pretzels and diet root beer
Snack: Granola Bar
Dinner: Dewey's side salad and split a Bronx Bomber pizza with friend and 2 glasses of ice tea

I feel into the left over candy at work trap and had two mini snack size candy bars.
Water drank: 84.5 oz

The Workout
Workout was tough. I joined a kickboxing class and it was a little different than usual. They do more partner work than they do bag work. All in all it was a good workout...I'm feeling it today. The class is 50 minutes long and teaches you self defense on top of working core muscle groups. After that I did 35 minutes on the elliptical. Crazy...I think so.

What are some of your healthy new years goals?

Jackie Knows Fat the Best?

So Jackie Warner, celebrity trainer and star of the Bravo (non-hit) series "Workout," just dropped this book. Apparently she knows why I'm fat and she will teach me the ways of getting thin for life. I like Jackie Warner, I've seen her show, I've seen the results she has helped people achieve, and from what I've read this book has gotten mixed reviews. Not only for the content inside, which apparently it doesn't tell you anything different than anything us weight watchers don't know, but it's also getting flack for using the "F" word.
(side note: I should probably read the book for my own assessment and I plan to do that after pay day next week...book review to follow).

My fellow bloggers over Fit Bottom Girls posted this about the book. I have to agree with Jenn on some of her points. The use of the word "fat" is definitely sensationalized on this cover, and many will buy this book and be forever changed by Jackie and her fitness knowledge. After reading the article I started thinking about the "F" word, how I use it and how I hear it used around me. Back in the day the word use to make me uncomfortable, so much I would feel sick at the sound of hearing it. No one wants to be called names, especially the "F" word. The "F" word is like an elephant in the room ... everybody sees it, everybody is thinking it, and some may even say it. Some how over the years I suppose I've embraced the word to the point it doesn't bother me. Maybe I've become desensitized by it, maybe I see it for it is, or maybe it's just always "there."

I will admit, I jokingly use that word when I talk about myself, and I probably shouldn't do that, but I'm fat so I can, right? Probably not, but it comes with the territory of being the funny, fat girl I suppose. But does the fact that I use that word referring to myself reflect poorly on me? Some say it might, but I never viewed it like that because that's what I do but maybe I should start viewing it as a poor reflection on my views of myself. The way I talk about myself sometimes I would never talk to a best friend, my sister, or family member like that.

From this point on I vow not to use the "F" word when I talk about myself, because in all honesty I don't view myself as that word and the negative connotations that can come with it. So good bye fat...HELLO phat :)

I Don't Wanna...

Honestly, I'm not in the mood for it today - not in the mood to eat healthy and not in the mood for my rigorous work out. For a brief moment today I was swimming in a pool of sugary awesomeness and had to literally throw myself a life preserver. For a week now all I can think about is sweets, and today my prayers were answered. My besty sent me a late valentine's day present :) Oh and you know it was filled with some sweet thangs from the nasti 'nati. There was two busken cookies (which equates to frosted happiness), a 6 pack of Reese Hearts (which I like just like my men...chocolate, rich and delicious!) and Heart Peeps! Well, you already know how this story is going to end ... the busken cookies...gone...Reese Hearts...I ate 2...and now I wish I would've just either had one or the other or just one of either the cookies or the hearts. My body is rejecting itself right now. That's what I get I guess, and I've officially have learned my lesson (for now ;) ) We all have minor set backs, and we all have our days. I guess I can chuck it up to being human.

Since last Thursday I've been going hard core at the gym, working out roughly two hours a day. Yesterday I didn't go. I just felt like I got out of the ring with Mike Tyson, but the exception was my ears were still intact. So I took an off day yesterday, and I want to take another "no gym" pass today, but I can't let myself do that. I know you're wondering if I made it to the gym...well I did the usual routine ... 1 hour on the treadmill, 15 on the elliptical, and 20 on the bike.

Here's proof that I did...

I don't know if it is the winter weather, where I am in my life, the lack of sunshine, the fact that I can't drink at work ... I just can't pinpoint it. I've been reading in many of my fellow weight loss bloggers that they are looking for a change, even beyond the obvious. I'm a notorious change lover. I love change. I welcome it with gift baskets, lean cuisines and open arms. Now I'm starting to wonder how good is too much change? There has to be something wrong when you are constantly changing something, right? Over the last, I'd say 15 years, I would have to say I've had about 50 odd some different hair cuts and colors, have already gone through a career change, moved to a different city, experienced the quarter life crisis, am ready for another career change, and some how still don't feel satisfied with life. I haven't experienced that Jerry McGuire "complete me" moment. It's like I have this urge, this burning (and no not THAT one), to try every single thing on the planet. Like one day I will want to start a village and the next open my own shop. I'm starting to think I have ADHD for adults.

Check it out...

So tonight on campus in celebration of BHM (black history month) I heard the sweet pipes of Darnell Levine. He has one of the best voices I've heard in a long time, and the fact that he got to play in a venue like Morley was icing on the lyrical cake. Levine did a musical journey through the decades. His rendition of Stevie Wonder's My Cherie Amour and Seal's Kiss from a Rose was phenomenal. This is someone you will want to keep your eye on...and well, he's easy on the eyes so it's not that hard too.

Damn you Dolly (and not the Madison kind)!

I wish they never ever tried cloning. And why try it on a sheep first? Why not use me? As long as I get a paid for participating in a break-through science measure I don't mind. Plus, I could put my clone to work. I bet scientist can clone people out of play dough now. If God can make people out of clay and earth elements, then I know scientist can make people out of play dough and touch of glitter.



I can't ever say it enough, there isn't enough time in the day (seriously...time!). I have so much I want to accomplish in 365 days that there is no way I can accomplish what I want in that time frame...I need a new word for time. It's like it is haunting this blog entry from the last one.

GOT LENT?

Oh and did you know...LENT is next Wednesday! A big WTF for that! It crept up on me like Mike "The Situation" in Karma on the Jersey Shore. I'm no where ready for Lent. I have no idea what I want to give up, especially since I gave up everything that is remotely tasty (just kidding, though some days it feels like it...just being honest!). Last year I didn't give up anything. Instead I vowed to do one nice thing a day (depending on the person...again just kidding...but not really). It worked out OK, but when you've been participating in Lent for 20 odd some years of your life what else can you do!? What are you giving up for Lent (if you practice)? Thoughts, comments and concerns are welcomed...

Wha Wha...
So yesterday I was a slacker and didn't work out. I know, I know, BUT it was mist snowing like mad outside, and I didn't want to play Monster Truck trying to get my car out of the Mansion driveway. Our drive way is what I like to call a little log flume minus the splash going down the hill.

BUT today on the other hand was last chance work out ENERL style. 1 hour on the treadmill (420 calories burned), 15 minutes on the elliptical (120 calories burned), 20 minutes on the stationary bike (130 calories burned), 20 minutes of various weight machines (not sure what I should assume calories burned is), and lastly 30 Day Shred DVD for 20 minutes (safely say 200 calories burned). Total calories burned today was probably near 900-1000. I know, ridiculous right, but 5K season is right around the corner. It's time to get the party started!

As far as the soup de jour today...

Breakfast: Bowl of honey nut Cheerios w/ skim milk

Lunch: 2 boca burgers (120 calories each) with organic mustard (50) and ketchup (15) and a cheese slice (cut in half; 80); 15 baked lays chips (140) and a glass of water

Snack: Banana (100) and a granola bar (90) and a bottled water

Dinner: It's like 9:17, so I will probably grab a bowl of cereal.

It's a Hip-Hop Dance Party!

I don't know about you, but there are times when I just don't want to travel to the gym. It's raining...it's cold...I'd rather be at home than working out.

I've decided to still get some cardio in on those lazy days, and I now have a pretty extensive collection of workout DVD's. Pilates, step aerobics, kickboxing...you name it and I have it. I recently purchased Jennifer Gilardi's Dance Off the Inches Hip-Hop Party. I know the name sounds a little cheesy, but this is a great workout DVD. I usually get bored with a workout DVD after watching the second time, and the fact that I can workout to this DVD a few times a week tells me that this is a great workout and DVD.

The workout is all dancing, so if you don't like to bust a move, don't waste your time reading the rest of this post. There is a seperate section of the DVD that teaches the dance moves in detail, so no time is wasted during the actual workout section. The workout is fast paced and makes you sweat. The routines are themed-based: one is a basic hip-hop routine, the second a "sexy" routine and the third is what I like to call the "world rhythms" routine which is full of Latin and Bollywood moves. Also, Jennifer is not one of those really cheesy "You can do it!" workout DVD instructors, so the annoynance level is pretty low. The best thing about this DVD, though, is that it keeps you moving for 45 minutes straight. Wether it's the warmup, the routines, or cool down, you are always moving your body.

So, check it out. You can purchase the DVD on Amazon for less than $10.