12.30.10
Posted in: Uncategorized
I was going to skip the whole “End of the Year” post…but, I got an email the other day that made me change my mind. It’s something that has been weighing on me for a few days now. I get an email once a year from someone meet online through a weigh loss site about 7 years ago. The emails that she send out only reflects on all the bad that has happened over the year. Not one single positive note in her entire email. I won’t go into the specifics but she even put in all the bad things that have happened to her neighbors, friends and family. It was depressing to read. I plan on sending her a response to make note of the fact that she made no mention of happy times this year.
This year was not easy for me….I am no longer talking to my family and I am having a hard time with our teens. Moving on, I decided to only make note of good things in my year in review:
~ I have a great support system at home and with great friends.
~ I know that my husband loves me and would do anything for me
~ I took the time to improve my health and fitness levels this year
~ I made the commitment to continue with my blog and I am thankful for my place to share and vent
~ I am grateful for a wonderful family
~ I loved the time in my jeep wrangler this year with the top and doors off. (beep, beep…who has the keys to the jeep)
~ I was able to reconnect with old friends
~ I made some wonderful new friends
~ I have a good paying job that allowed me to take time this year to get my head in the right place
~ We cleaned the house out this summer when we chopped down out trees in the back yard to put in a huge shed for hubby
~ I become ISSA certified to help me gain better knowledge on how my body works so I can bring it to the stage this year!
~ I made it to Fitbloggin’ and had a good time
~ I was able to use my 4 wheel drive and have fun in the snow at the beginning of the year with my jeep.
So, what are you grateful for? Only positive things!
12.27.10
Posted in: Uncategorized
This year is basically gone. I have been thinking about the new year and what I want to accomplish. This year has not been a easy one for me or my family but things could have been worse. I just try to remember that all the tough stuff makes me a stronger person.
I don’t have a lot to say right now but wanted to share a few pictures that I have taken with my new camera….I will learn how to take good pictures if it’s the last thing I do!
My spoiled brat Digger. He has a few cute moments.
Hubby with the new our new Chihuahua Daisy and Digger on his lap.
My daughter thinking she looks cool with Daisy.
My Grandson Tyler with my Daughter-in-Law.
Santa on the fire truck…they come around every year.
The depressing scene at work before anyone comes in….it’s a sea of phones and computers….
Me and my Man! I’m still getting use to this short do….I think I like it though. So different from anything else I have ever done.
12.24.10
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Just wanted to pop in here to update you all. I have been so freaking busy. I finally have all my Christmas shopping done so there is reason to celebrate!
Anyways, I just finished this book:
It was an interesting read at times. He completes many test on himself and has some good ideas to work with but I would take caution with a lot of what he says. He likes to take that path least traveled. He talks about ice baths….sorry, not for me! He does have some good points and I made note of several pages. I will keep the book and re-read it to see what else I can get from the book. He makes some interesting points but there were some points in my reading that I just blanked out and got bored with it. I hate when I zone out while reading a book. Have you….or, are you reading this book now? I would love to hear your thoughts on it.
My next book is:
I am only about 5 pages into it right now. I just got my Kindle (an early Christmas present) and I absolutely love it!
One more thing before I end this post. I have decided to enter a figure competition In October…..October 29th to be exact. This is going to be an interesting new year. Lot’s of good things are going to happen. I’m excited!
12.21.10
Posted in: Uncategorized
This is a guest post by: Daniel Depp
Ever asked yourself “why am I fat?”
Over the years I’ve come across a whole lot of research on the reasons
why some people, despite their best efforts, countless weight loss diet
plans and rigorous workouts still struggle with their weight. It would
seem that the answer lies in the mystery of the metabolism and this
metabolism is influenced both by your genetics and your environment.
Let’s take a look at what factors the “fat loss” scientists believe affect
whether or not we put on weight…
Stress.
It’s time to chill out, whenever you’re under pressure and life’s demands
are getting you down you could be expanding your waistline. Although
research hasn’t yet determined all the factors in the stress-weight gain
equation it would appear that stress does cause the pounds to pile on.
One study reveals evidence of a biological switch that makes the body
fat: researchers that a particular pathway in the brain promotes fat
growth in chronically stressed mice that eat a high-fat, high-sugar diet.
The study was so resounding that the mice that were stressed gained
about twice as much fat as those that were fed the same diet and not
stressed.
Another study shows that when under long-term chronic stress mice
(and possibly humans) tend to seek out comfort foods. Despite the
majority of stress-weight gain research being conducted on animals, I’m
sure you’ll agree that getting overly stressed and eating junk food is not
a good idea if you want to lose weight fast.
It’s time to get perspective and control as many forms of stress as you
possibly can; take a walk and watch the birds, do some light exercise,
read a book, meditate. Do whatever you do to relax: it may just help you
slim down too.
Sleep.
It could be that your lack of sleep is causing you to gain weight. When
you aren’t giving your body enough shut-eye you experience stress and
this could lead to food cravings to help you cope.
Sleep researchers are discovering that our busy lifestyle schedules
impact our lives in surprising ways and the studies all point to weight
gains for those people who don’t get deep, restful sleep regularly.
It would seem that losing sleep impacts the metabolism negatively
in terms of weight loss. When there is a sleep deficit, we tend to
metabolize more lean muscle and less fat. According to one piece of
research published by Reuters, people put on 3 pounds in less than
2 weeks simply by having their sleep interrupted and a study on BMI
showed that this measure of weight actually increases as sleep deficit
become more pronounced.
So you need to find time in your busy schedules to sleep – late-nights in
front of the television with a mug of coffee have got to be minimized.
Get 7-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep every night and your fat burning
furnace will be stoked.
Starvation.
Some people think they know exactly how to lose weight fast – they
think starving themselves is the best solution. Many dieters hang on
every word that comes out of Hollywood actresses mouths. Eating less
food is the first step to losing weight – but taking it to the extreme can
cause more harm than good.
Depriving your body of adequate food is counterproductive. Starvation
diets may work in the short-term but use them for too long and you’re
asking for trouble. Your metabolism slows to a crawl as your body tries
to conserve calories and muscle rather than fat, gets burned off for
energy. More and more calories get stored as fat in preparation for the
supposed imminent famine.
And so you gain weight, you’re tired and you try to do more exercise in
a bid to beat the bulge. Your body fat percentage rises and before you
know it, you’re back to square one.
It’s time to forget these diets that overly restrict calories and instead
jump on a fast weight loss plan that encourages long-term weight loss
with only minimal calorie restriction.
Spouses.
I know you love him (or her) but your husband, wife or partner could be
compromising your weight loss. One 2008 study in particular has shown
that couples who live together for more than two years (married or
otherwise) are more likely to be obese, inactive and sedentary.
I’m sure most will agree, being part of a long-term partnership and
living together certainly changes your lifestyle dynamics. Long-term
relationships tend to be about snuggling up together on the sofa with a
tub of Ben and Jerry’s than they do spinning around the dance-floor. A
wedding can be a fantastic incentive to get back in shape, but once it’s
over and you’re out of the spotlight, the motivation dwindles and the
program gets left behind.
Some people may even find marriage stressful, particularly early on, and
we all know what happens when you’re stressed!
If you’re one of those people who have fallen into the marriage-weight-
gain trap there is still hope – you have a comrade now that could really
make a difference. Make a resolution to get back in shape together,
you’ll be held accountable by your partner and can help each other stay
motivated. Don’t worry – with a healthier diet and more physical activity
you’ll fit back into that wedding dress in next to no time!
Menopause.
On average American women aged in their mid-40s to mid-50s tend
to gain approximately a pound a year. This coincides with most
women’s menopause and has led many to believe that menopause is
directly responsible for weight gain. However, there is little evidence
to prove this. Of course, as women reach the menopausal years their
body begins to change and they’ll experience a natural slowing of the
metabolism and the hormonal changes that occur at this time can lead
to depression, hunger and insufficient sleep – possible contributors to
weight gain.
The simple fact is both men and women as they get older don’t need as
many calories as they did when they were in their youth. Science thinks
this has something to do with a reduction in lean muscle mass, and
anyone who is a convert of resistance training know that muscle burns
more calories than fat whilst at rest.
Diet obviously plays a role in midlife weight gain but it seems the real
culprit is a reduction in physical activity as people get older. And whilst
hormones in women at menopause change where body fat is distributed
(around the middle rather than the traditional thighs, hips and bums),
may give the appearance that menopause is the major cause of weight
gain, aging is the most likely explanation.
It’s not easy to keep midlife weight off, but the bottom line is this:
women who partake in regular exercise and eat a balanced, low-calorie
diet are likely to have less body fat, smaller waists and gain less weight
than those who do not. Do these things and you’ll notice less body
changes come menopause.
So what next?
If you are falling prey to any of these weight gain factors now is the
time to make some changes. Ultimately losing weight comes down to
the simplest thing: burning more calories than you put in. The best way
to start (in my opinion) is to begin tracking exactly what you eat; you
should then calculate your Basal Metabolic Rate and begin manipulating
your diet until you find something that works for you.
Transforming your body is no easy task; the way you look now is
the result of perhaps years of bad habits. This is not going to change
overnight despite what those weight loss pill advertisements say but if
you utilize the correct strategies, stay the course and keep a positive
outlook, the figure you’ve always wanted is just around the corner. I
promise.
About The Author.
Daniel Depp is the creator of The 30 Day Diet, an online weight loss
system designed to help you lose weight the healthy way in 30 days or
less, and give you the tools you need to keep it off forever.
Sources.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/01/
AR2007070100431.html
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2003-09/uoc–ccm091003.php
http://www.canada.com/Health/Sleep+deprivation+tied+weight+gain/1686030/
story.html
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5595T020090610
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-06/aaos-eos060209.php
http://www.nature.com/oby/journal/v17/n7/full/oby200997a.html
12.18.10
Posted in: Uncategorized
I have just been busy with the holidays and when I sit down to blog I can’t come up with anything interesting to say. I will give you a few key highlights though:
~ I am reading a new book ~ The 4-Hour Body on my Kindle for Droid….I am really late with the whole Kindle idea but I am loving it now!
~ I have a new camera hubby got me for Christmas (early) so I am working with that and should be posting some pictures and maybe video pretty soon.
~ We had our first snow fall yesterday…not much…maybe about an inch but it was nice to see the snowfall.
~ I am taking the time to enjoy friends and family so computer time has been lowered for a little while.
~ I am reading blogs but do not have time to reply…..it’s hard to keep up with everything this time of year
~ I am working hard trying to study as much as I can when I get a few moments to myself.
That’s about all I have for now….
12.13.10
Posted in: Uncategorized
Don’t ask me why that saying has been in my head for a few days now. I have not been feeling well and Anna keeps pushing me to go to the gym. Everyone around me has been sick and I think that the flu shot is doing it’s job of keeping the bad stuff from hitting me. I just feel run down 
in the process. I slept for almost 12 hours last night and if I did not have to go into work I would have slept in some more.
We have Zumba class tonight and I still have my shoulder workout to complete today. They are calling for snow today but I doubt it will reach to anything. I will see how I feel later and decide if the gym will be on my agenda.
I feel bad because I have been so short tempered and moody with everyone I hope this passes quickly. I am too busy to have to deal with feeling like crap and being mad at everyone.
On a better note…..I get my hair cut again Thursday and I really need it. I think I will stick with short hair for awhile. I may even have a change in color or some highlights….this may be nothing new to you….but in all my 32 years I have never had my hair colored or highlighted….does that make me some kind of alien? Everybody does that right?
Your assignment: Ok, so people tell me a joke or something…..I think I need a laugh 
12.12.10
Posted in: Uncategorized
12.9.10
Posted in: Uncategorized
As you may have read in this post I have been going through a tough spot and some major lazy moments. With the help of friends both online and in my personal life I have managed to snap out of it. It took me long enough though.
My daughter has been asking to go to the gym every night and if I give a mention that I don’t feel like it she is kicking my butt and making me leave (even in the yucky cold weather). I must admit though that I feel great after my workout and its good for her also. She is doing better in school and sleeping through the night.
Even my co-worker who stands me up all the time has been making it to the gym even with all the holiday stuff going on. If she can do it now she can do it anytime. She is really excited also because she has lost 3 pounds so far. I have also had several close friends and co-workers tell me that they are proud of me and that I inspire them. It’s such a great feeling to hear that. My husband is the one that really got to my heart this week. He was talking about me to my daughter and told her that he was proud of me and that I can do anything when I set my mind to it. I love him so much…he really is my rock!
I have great support online also with my blog, facebook and twitter…ya’ll rock! I just want to say thank you for the support and taking the time out to help others in the fitness community. We all live such busy lives and it means a lot when you take the time out to send me an email or reply to a post. It really does lift my spirits.
12.7.10
Posted in: Uncategorized
It’s been a good week. I tried a new class at the gym for me….bodypump! I am in love with this class. If you don’t know what it is…let me tell you. Think of cardio dance class with weights and lots of sweat! That is a pretty accurate account of this class I think. My goal right now is to try as many new classes as I can to open myself up to more options than weights and the treadmill.
Anyways, I also wanted to share with you my new gym toy. It’s a wordlock. This may not mean much to you but I have about 6 locks in the house and I cannot use any of them because I have no clue what the lock codes are. The wordlock lets me change the password to something that I will remember and I have the option to change it at any time. The come in lots of colors but I am on the “pink” kick right now.
One more bonus is right now I don’t see these at my gym so it’s easy to find my locker also. Check them out….they can be found in many different stores.
I’m going to end this post here. I have to catch up with some blogs and make my meals for tomorrow. Night!
12.5.10
Posted in: Uncategorized
What you will need:
Ground Turkey
onion flakes
chili powder
mrs dash chipotle
cayenne pepper
garlic gold nuggets
black beans
canned tomatoes
corn
***for the spices I just added until it had the taste i was looking for
boil a little water with onion flakes and garlic gold
Brown the ground turkey
Mix in everything
I almost forgot the corn….I love corn and all the colors in my food. This is a keeper!
Don’t forget to check out my other blog with past recipes
Posted in: Uncategorized
I’m sorry that I have not been around. It’s not for a lack of things to talk about because I have so much going on right now.
It was an interesting day after work. I picked Anna up to go to the gym before dinner and we came across an accident. It was the guys fault but he could not tell his side of the story because he decided that after the cops got there that he could not speak English….anyways, he was on one of those scooters that do not require insurance, tags or even a drivers license and he tried to cut a woman off and he lost control of the scooter and landed under another girls tire. The poor girl was waiting for her mom to pick up pizza and only had her learners permit. She kept her cool though and handled the situation very well.
We stuck around for the cops because my daughter saw what happened and wanted to help. Look at the picture…do you see how far his helmet flew from the scooter? Do you also see that puddle? It’s gas. We told the girl to move her car so it would not cause any problems so we took a few pix before we moved it.
Crazy thing to come across on the way to the gym. I’m just glad that nobody got hurt due to his carelessness. It’s things like this that scare me to think my daughter will be on the roads in a few years.
After this whole show we made our way to the gym. It was a short workout because we were held up because of the accident but we did some cardio in the cardio theater and watched Bride Wars. It’s a pretty good movie….makes me thankful I got married in the courthouse like Carrie and Big from Sex and the City.
As soon as we walked into Gold’s Gym we saw a guy that looked just like Hulk Hogan…I swear it. I should have taken a picture but I thought he might kick my azz if I did that. He had the whole yellow shirt that looked ripped up that was not covering any parts of his body and he had on a red bandana.
It was AMAZING! Never saw anything like it a the gym before. I expected to see him signing autographs and taking pictures with other gym goers…lol
I told you I had an interesting day…and all this happened in about an hour and a half. So, tell me….did you have anything interesting happen today?
Share your story with me. I want to know.
12.2.10
Posted in: Uncategorized
What you need:
Daisy Cottage Cheese
Banana
packet of NuNaturals (optional)
place cottage cheese and NuNaturals in bowl.
cut the banana up in slices
Mix in the granola
I’m in love with this and it’s so simple.
Don’t forget to check out my other blog with past recipes
12.1.10
Posted in: Uncategorized
I stayed up late last night so I could watch the season finale of Sons of Anarchy. I love that show. I hope there is going to be another season. Anyways, after that went off at 11:30 I had to stay up with my poor chihuahua because he hurt his paw real bad.
This morning I did not have time to make my meals for work so I ate breakfast at work. Nothing bad because I did not want my belly to hurt. I had 3 hard boiled eggs and some fruit and my belly has been kicking my ass since then. I just took some medicine and I will catch up on some blog reading.
I will be back at it in the morning though.
I learned my lesson….it’s worth taking the time to make my own meals!
Posted in: None
My daughter went to Golds Gym with me last night and we got her all signed up. She took her first Zumba class after some fighting but she loved it after we were done. She even wanted to go back this morning. We will go back tonight for a good workout. Things are looking up around here.
__________________________________________
Workout completed. It was a good day and tomorrow is my Friday at work. Im posting my first post from my phone.
BTW, sorry abt the random pux. I wanted to see how it would show from my phone.
Dawn
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