New things

After being inspired by Jewlia Goulia's New Years resolution to try one new fruit a month (which she is doing in epic proportions!) I decided that I would like to try some new fruits and veggies also. I didn't make any specific plan, but while walking through the produce section, I saw an eggplant. It was calling out to me with all it's purple mysteriousness... buy me. try me. it's ok, you'll find that recipe for me, that you don't even remember what it was, but you'll find it and like it. So I did. I bought the convincing eggplant. My hubby asked what I was gonna make with it. I said "hmmm. I'm not sure yet." He started laughing. I gave him "the look" and asked why he was laughing at me. He said "I got a picture in my head of you holding one hand to your chin like The Thinker and the other hand holding the eggplant." I must admit, that's pretty funny. I will update you on the eggplant tastiness after I figure out what I want to do with it.

 

Recently, I posted about doing 30 Day Shred. Well, it's been too long I think, so I'm gonna restart it. But I got some 2lb weights to use this time. Monkey (the 11yr old) picked them up and said "these aren't heavy!" I explained how heavy that light weights can get after using them over and over. She seemed satisfied with that answer. 

Today starts a new 6 week challenge at work. The rules to complete it are to log at least 1000 minutes of exercise AND eat at least 5 servings of fruit/veggies a day. That should be no problem for a low carber like me. ;-) The incentive is a long sleeved t-shirt. I've done a few of these challenges, but the 2 most recent ones involved exercise plus another requirement. Before, they were only certain exercise rules. This fruit/veggie part should help with the experimenting of new ones. And the exercise part should help get me re-motivated. Yippee!!

Have you tried anything new lately?

I'd like to thank...

I just received my very first blogger award! Maybe it's silly to be so excited, but I am. =) Thank you Bethany at B getting hot!. I give you one right back!

With this award comes a to-do list:

1. Link back to the person who gave the award to you
2. Share seven things about yourself
3. Pass the award on to 15 recently discovered great bloggers (or as many as you can).
4. Contact those bloggers and tell them they’ve won.

So here are 7 things about me:

1. I want a weenie dog. Bad. As soon as we move to a place where I can have one, I will. I also kind of want a BIG dog so that I can walk them both at the same time. How cute! hehe
2. I grew up in Montana and still consider it my hometown. I'm grateful for the small town values I learned there.
3. I found out I was a type 2 diabetic when I was 18, just after graduation. I wish I knew about low carb then!
4. I'm a total 80's hairband girl to this day. I do like some newer rock, but most of the time my Sirius is on Hair Nation.
5. I can say my alphabet backwards. The weird thing is that my bff (also named Brandi) can do it too. <cue Twilight Zone music>
6. I am determined to figure out a way to go to NY and have a makeover done by Carmindy (of What Not To Wear fame.)
7. I love flip flops. Insanely. I love Old Navy's 2 for $5 ones and I have a ton of them. Flip Flop Heaven we call it. =)

Now here are my nominations in no particular order:

• Skinny Emmie
• The Great Fitness Experiment
• Escape From Obesity (This is the first blog that I found and caused me to become addicted to them. Lyn is amazing! So is her low carb meatloaf recipe that led me to her. You gotta try it!)
• Diary of a Mad, Fat Woman
• Operation Shrink Charlie's Big Butt
• All Day I Dream About Food
• Goodbye, Fat Girl
• The Right To Bare Arms
• Plump Nonfiction
• Scale Junkie Weight Loss Blog
• Smaller Fun Pants
• Fit & Healthy by 2012-2
• 2 Fat Chicks With A Mission
• Jewlia Goulia 

I hope you check these blogs out. I really enjoy them. Now I'm off to notify these people and catch up on them myself!

Yummy peanut butter

My poor little neglected blog. Can you ever forgive me?

I haven't posted in a few days. I haven't done much of anything the last few days actually. Sunday I watched the playoffs and I'm SO excited that my Steelers are going to the Superbowl!! I don't talk about it much here because this is more of a health and fitness blog, but I LOVE the Steelers. I'm super pumped and can't wait for the game. I hope they win so I'm not sad and depressed. lol Football makes me very emotional... more so than it should. (eek!) I took a xanax to pre-medicate in case the game didn't go my way. It ended up knocking me out so I was kinda in and out toward the end of the game. My back was hurting too so I was lying on the couch (which didn't help the sleepiness.)

On Monday, we went to my mom's to eat dinner. It was beef stew and biscuits. Higher carb than I normally eat, but it was very good and since money is tight, we weren't gonna turn down a free meal cooked by mom! It was good to just hang out and talk with her. I love my mommy. =) When we got home, a friend asked if I wanted to come over and chill out so I did. Had a lot of fun there too! It was a good day, even though I didn't get any exercise done.

Tuesday I didn't do much. My back was killing me! Today I had a Dr appointment with the pulmonologist. He finally referred me to the ENT (ear, nose, throat) Dr. I go on Tuesday. I don't know if they will evaluate me and then schedule a later appointment to scope me or if they'll do it then. I hate not knowing what to expect. Yikes! I may need some major anti-anxiety meds. I'm SO not comfortable with someone putting a tube with a camera up my nose and down my throat to look at my vocal cords! I get nauseated putting an NG tube in a patient. Ughhhhh!!!  {happy thoughts. happy thoughts...}

So I might try to Shred again tonight, but the coffee table is kinda mocking me. Maybe I better wait til tomorrow when my hubby can help. lol

I made cookies.. from scratch.. tonight. I haven't baked in quite a while. My lil monkey helped me. We had fun. I used to bake ALL the time. Especially when I was a teenager and early 20's. I baked and cooked often. Rarely went out to eat. That's just how I was raised. Somewhere along the way, I got warped. lol Anyway, I made chocolate chip cookies for hubby. He did me a huge favor and I told him I'd get him cookies. He buys the Pillsbury tube kind, but I had the stuff, so I just made them. I substituted half the sugar for Splenda and I admit I did have a few. Then I decided to make some low carb peanut butter cookies since I had a recipe and I wanted a legal treat. The recipe I had was...

1 C peanut butter
1/2 C Splenda (another recipe called for 1 C. I just did 1/2)
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla

Roll into balls and place on greased cookie sheet. Press with fork tines. Bake 10-15 minutes at 325.

These didn't expand too much, but they were a nice little treat.

Do you have a favorite treat or snack? RECIPE SWAP!! =)

Day 1 of 30 Day Shred

I finally got my copy of Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred dvd that I ordered with exercise points from work. Since I didn't make it to the gym today (I blame Mr. Sandman!) I decided (at 3am) that I was gonna do it. I hadn't exercised since Monday and that just wasn't gonna cut it. So I had my husband help me move the coffee table out of the way so I'd have room to fall over dead. haha I think I tweaked my back a little moving the table. I was lifting and he was pushing. We weren't on the same wavelength. I'm not positive, but I didn't notice any pain before the table incident and it was before the video, so that's just my educated guess.

So the table is moved and I'm ready. It's only a 20 minute workout so that is very cool. I don't like that I will have to listen to the intro every time, but oh well. Not that big of a deal. There are 3 levels. Of course, I started on level 1. She does what she calls 3-2-1 intervals plus a warm up and cool down. It's 3 minutes of strength, 2 minutes of cardio (or the other way around?) and 1 minute of ab work. I don't have light hand weights so I just did the exercises without. I guess I could've used cans or something like I've heard before, but I didn't. I did all of level 1 and only had to stop to catch my breath during cardio a couple times. Jump roping is evil. Just sayin...

Then my hubby says "Let's see what level 2 is like." For the record, he started level 1 with me, but there just isn't enough room for us both to do it at the same time. I think he was ok with that. So, we put it on level 2. I decided I would be a (crazy) trooper and see what I could do of that also. I have to say, I did about half of it. We watched part of level 3, but then I decided I REALLY needed a shower so we turned it off. I went to shower and he went to bed.

I can't guarantee that I'll do this for 30 days in a row, but I'd definitely like to work it into my routine. Especially on days when I can't go to the gym or run outside. It's only 20 minutes which is a definite plus. The only downside is moving the coffee table. haha

I've heard people talk about how tough it is. I'm NOT saying that it's easy, but I was kind of expecting more. I'm sure I'll get it on the next levels though. I used to do Slim in 6 and I found that to be harder on level 1. Maybe because Si6 is twice as long (I have the old one that's a little longer) or maybe I was more out of shape then (is that possible??) but I look forward to seeing how well this works. Either way, I have a love/hate relationship with both Jillian and Debbie from Si6. lol I'm gonna measure tomorrow so I'll have a baseline. I haven't measured in a couple weeks so I definitely need to do that. I hope it helps whip me into bikini ready shape and lose the muffin top in my smaller jeans. Eek!

Have you done 30 Day Shred? What did you think? Did it work well?
How about Slim in 6?
What videos make you wish you had a voodoo doll of the instructor?

Soul Shine

"Let your soul shine,
It's better than sunshine,
It's better than moonshine,
Damn sure better than rain.
Yeah now people don't mind,
We all get this way sometimes,
Gotta let your soul shine, shine till the break of day."
 ~Allman Brothers

No, I didn't invite you here for a sing-a-long (although you can if you want!) There's just something about that song that speaks to me.

I laid down early tonight.. about 2:30.. and tossed and turned for about an hour before I decided to get up for a little bit. As I was trying to sleep, I realized that I was CRAVING yoga. Body and soul. Too bad more places don't cater to night workers. The only time you (as in general public, not you as in you sitting there in the blue shirt with the donut. Put it down!!) think about us is when you need a trip to the ED or have a craving for <insert junk food here> at the convenience store. Ok, maybe that's not quite true, but sometimes it seems like it. haha

I did BodyFlow on Monday and that seems like SO long ago! I knew I liked it, but I didn't realize just how much I needed it. I like the poses and the feeling I get from doing it. I like the environment of the class, even though it's not a real yoga studio. There is a class in the morning (just a few hours from now.. ugh) at 9:30 that I would really like to go to, but because I can't sleep, I probably won't make it. That stresses me out. I've become addicted to the classes even though I can't seem to make it to them nearly as often as I'd like. I enjoy the weights and running too, but I like to do all of it and I feel like I'm missing something when I don't go to a few classes a week.

I've always been drawn to a couple other cultures. As a kid, and still somewhat now, I liked the Native American life. I was curious about it and even have a dreamcatcher tattoo on my leg. I'm also drawn to Eastern ways. Alternative medicine, yoga, that kind of stuff. I don't know a whole lot about yoga... I mean there are a LOT of poses and several styles of yoga, but I love the idea. I'd like to study it more in depth, but I don't really know how. I don't know what kind I'd enjoy most and certainly can't afford a yoga studio class anyway. I know several basic poses, but I don't know the practice well enough to feel like I could do it at home and flow properly without the direction of a video. I'd like to get to the point where I could go to the beach or the mountains or the parking lot down the street and do it correctly. One day... ;-)

Well.. now that I've blogged and the cats are all wound up, I'll give sleep another shot. Goodnight!

Do you ever crave a certain type of exercise or just exercise in general?
Do you practice yoga and what style do you like? Why?

RevolutionaryAct.com | Being Healthy Is a Revolutionary Act

(I told you I wouldn't make it to sleep!) Anywho... just wanted to pass this on really fast. It's a great idea. I think most of us could stand to improve our health. Check this site out and if nothing else, download the pdf to read. I liked it. Hope you do too. Let me know what you think!

RevolutionaryAct.com | Being Healthy Is a Revolutionary Act

Vampire hours

I've been out of work for almost 3 months (!!!!) and I can't seem to break my vampire hours. I work 7p-7a so I sleep during the day. I rarely flip flop my schedule, like some do, because I'm more of a night owl anyway. I've tried several times since I've been out of work though. I just can't seem to make myself fall asleep at a "decent" hour, nor get up early enough to be tired by said decent hour. I mean, it's 3am and I just made myself a smoothie. Sigh.

Nighttime (after the family is in bed) is MY time. It's when I read blogs and write in mine. I watch Investigation Discovery channel or A&E or wherever else I can find strange interesting shows. I tend to get very inspired. Very motivated. I make plans for tomorrow. I'm gonna get up early and go for a wog (walk/jog.) I'm gonna go to the gym, no, I'm gonna wog TO the gym THEN workout! I'm gonna work so hard, I'm gonna leave a size smaller! (Ok.. maybe that's a bit much, but you get the point.) But you wanna know what happens?

pssssttt It's 3am and I'm still wide awake...

I won't be able to sleep until 6 or 7. Then I'll sleep til 4 or 5. Then I have to figure out what to fix for dinner. Breakfast? and I won't make it to the gym.

That's what has happened the past few days. I need a 24 hour gym, but I really like the Y. The whole family can go and I like their programs. So I need to MAKE myself go after I wake up in the evening or I need to MAKE myself flip flop my schedule until I can go back to work. Something's got to give. Sigh.

A bit of happier babble.. I got to see my bff today (it's been way too long!) and I had to go by work to put my next schedule in, so I got to see some of my work people. I haven't seen them in even longer! lol

I went to my bff's Pampered Chef party. I *love* their products, but have just a few little things because I usually can't afford it. I agreed to have a party next month and might buy a kit to become a consultant. My thought is.. I can buy the kit, which includes a lot of product, for a great price. Then if I can sell it, great! If not, I have many of the things that I want. Soooooo if any of you want some Pampered Chef stuff, let me know. I'll be happy to take your orders. =)

Ok.. I'm gonna TRY to relax and maybe sleep. Oh who am I kidding?! But either way, I'm done sharing my fascinating news for now. Hope you have a great day!

Do you work nights and if so, do you flip flop your schedule?

I won!

Last week I entered a contest to win an EatSmart scale at Scale Junkie's blog and I won! I'm so excited! My old scale has been fluctuating a lot. It didn't used to do that. I don't know if it's the scale or if I'm really going up and down that much from day to day, but I guess I'll have a better idea when I get this one. =) Thank you so much!!

I didn't make it to the gym today like I had planned. I must have been exhausted because I slept ALL day! (Even though I haven't been working, I still seem to be on my vampire hours.) I hate days when I planned on exercising and I don't make it. Blah. Maybe I'll do some crunches and leg lifts or something tonight. Maybe some yoga. These days I feel so lazy and blobbish when I don't work out. That is such a weird feeling for me. I used to be a person that could sit on the couch in my pajamas for days, just watching tv and be content with that. I like the active me much better. ;-)

Variation

I think it's important to keep life interesting. Same goes with exercise. If you get bored with it, you're more likely to quit. When I first started going to the gym again, I did the same couple of things every time... treadmill, cycle of weight machines. That was pretty much it. Once in a while I'd do a little bit on the bike or *attempt* to do the elliptical (am I the ONLY one who can't do that thing more than a minute or so???) Lately I've been taking some classes that I have taken in the past. I love them! I've also been running outside which is nice.

The classes I've done so far are:

BodyPump which is a cardio-strength class. There are 2 instructors and loud, pumping music. You have a bar and plates and they tell you when to add or take weight off. I kept it light the whole time and felt it for days. lol But in a good way.

BodyFlow which is a class that mixes yoga, pilates, and tai chi. It's quite a workout, but in a different way. You do the typical poses, but the pace is faster than a yoga class. I really enjoy it.. even when I can't balance and tip over. haha!

Yoga is cool too. Last Thursday I did BodyPump then yoga. Both classes are an hour long. The yoga really helped me stretch and relax after pumping it up. I think that's why I wasn't as sore as my husband was. hehe

There are a few other classes I'd like to check out also.  

BodyStep is a fast paced step class from what I can tell and BodyCombat is more martial art-ish. (That one kinda scares me. I don't know if I'll be able to do it.) RPM is a bike class that's part of the same exercise series. The Body----- classes are intense so I know they would be a great workout!

I'd like to try Zumba, but ask anyone who's seen me at the bar, I'm not much of a dancer. ;-) But I'd like to do it at least once.

I want to take the Pilates class too.

(You can find out more about the Body---- classes here. The BodyFlow class I talk about is called BodyBalance there. No clue why.)

I'm still doing the Couch to 5K program and hoping that I truly will be able to run the whole time by the end of it. I do the weight machines too. I've been running on the track instead of the treadmill. I just seem to like it better when I'm changing speeds, but will use it again when I want a steady pace. I'd like to work more cardio machines in to my workout. For now, I'm loving the classes and running outside.

One of my goals (see the tab above) is to run a 5K this year. Run. Eek! I have 2 that I'm interested in. One in May and one in September. I kinda like running (who said that?!) but I don't want to ONLY run. I really enjoy BodyFlow and yoga. It helps me relax and workout at the same time and I just feel like I'm more holistic when I do them.

I can't wait until I can run. Until I have a lean, toned body. Until I'm fit and healthy. I'll never be a supermodel, but I can be the best ME that I can be and that's what I'm focused on.

What are your goals? What exercises do you do/enjoy?

Priorities

I'm really trying to improve my health. I want to be fit. I want to be happy with my body and how I look and feel. I want my diabetes to be well controlled. I've been making those changes over the past year. In February of 2010 I restarted Atkins for the umpteenth time. I did very well.. stayed focused and motivated and I reached a goal I had set by the date I set it. I went to the gym several times a week and stuck to my low carb way of eating. I rarely cheated and felt great!

In June I started cheating more and more. I quit going to the gym. I had gotten out of the routine and it was HARD to get back into it. I maintained my weight, but I didn't feel as good. It took me a few months to get back to it. In September I quit all the cheating and started low carb strong again. I still couldn't get the gym routine back though. I lost a few more pounds in spite of that. Then in October I got sick. I have been sick for months. Recently though, I have been feeling better. I still get some fatigue and shortness of breath, but not nearly as bad as before. A few weeks ago, I started going to the gym regularly again. My weight hasn't really changed. It fluctuates between 131-134 day to day. But I feel great going to the gym again!

Thursday I went to a BodyPump class (a cardio-strength class that kicks ass!) then went to a yoga class to stretch and relax afterward. Friday I didn't make it to the gym, but I went outside and did my Couch to 5K program. I had planned on running down a sidewalk on a street near where I live, but it was getting dark so I just ran around a circle in my apartment complex so I could stay closer to home. It was cold, but I was determined to get some exercise in. My bff swears the pod people have taken over. Sometimes I think she's right! But I'm trying to stay motivated. I want to get in shape and I do actually enjoy exercise, it's just getting TO the gym (aka off the couch) that I have a hard time with sometimes.

This has been on my mind and I want to share it. The other day, someone told me that my priorities had changed. Normally I would've been proud that I'm putting my health above some other behaviors (couch potato-ing), but I sensed that this wasn't coming from a good place. They said that they were happy for me that I was happy and feeling good and I believe that, but I felt like they thought I was putting exercise above relationships. I felt horrible that they felt this way. I certainly never meant to make anyone feel like that. Just because I've put fitness higher on my priority list does NOT mean that I've lowered anything else. The people in my life absolutely mean the world to me and without them, there would be no point in trying to improve myself. Who would care? I hope that my people know just how much I love them! I've just spent most of the last 2 1/2 months on the couch because I wasn't physically able to do much. Now that I can do more, I want to get out there and do it. I want exercise to be a regular part of my schedule again and I want it to be a habit before I go back to work so that I will fit it into that schedule too. I'm hoping that some exercise will help me get better so that I CAN go back to work too. (I need some beach money!! hehe) So, to all of you out there... make your health a high priority, but make sure that your people know that they come first. Tell them how much they mean to you and that they can never lose you. Ever. =)