Quit "Stalin" and do some exercise!

Okay, so the Stalin thing came because I am watching something on Russia in World War II. 

I have an obsession with World War II.  I have for as long as I can remember.  I think it started when I went to the Holocaust Museum in 7th grade. There was just something about the museum... I want to go back.

My weight loss has plateaued again!  ARRRRRG!  Do I need to step up the workouts? I exercise at least 4 days a week.  This week was 5.  I just feel like I'm stuck again.  I know I will move again but I just feel like I should be moving.

I am getting stronger and my lungs are getting stronger.  I'm still at twice around the complex which is 0.82 miles. I'm hoping tomorrow to get another half a lap in.  I used Endomondo to track this.  Everything I've read says it's pretty accurate.

I'll just step it up I guess.  Change my eating a little, maybe lower my calories.  I think I'm just eating too many calories right now.  1980 might be too many.  I'm going to try for 1850 and see what that does. 

Until tomorrow....

Thought of the day:
Let your inner child come out and play, what could it hurt?

Weather Rollercoster!

The other day I had to turn on the A/C.  Today I want to turn on the heat.  This is silly!  Gary Lezak needs to change the weather and make it warmer but NOT hot!  LOL!

Today I went window shopping!  I roamed around Oak Park Mall today.  I didn't buy anything but did browse around.  I did burn calories while wondering around.  I didn't walk the whole mall because I got bored not having anyone to talk to but it was still fun.  FYI... unless you want to have a panic attack, don't go into a full price Coach store.  The outlet in San Marcos was hard enough when looking at prices.

After my workout yesterday I was sore.  Today I am not sore, I hurt.  My lower back is tender and bending over does not feel good.  Other than walking, I didn't do much exercise today.  I focused more on school work.  I've had a lot to do, still do in fact. 

Because of all the work I have to do, I probably won't post much in the next few days. I will try to post every day but right now, getting my final papers done is more important. 

Thank you for reading! 

Until tomorrow....

Thought of the day:

April 26, 2004 The day that changed my heart

8 years ago today we lost an amazing man. That phone call... the look on my dad's face... the heartbreak.

James H. Brosemer was a cranky old goat that loved his family more than anything.   I have amazing memories of grandpa and miss him everyday.  I can still hear his voice and smell his pipe.  I look at my brother and I can see my grandpa.  Through the tragedy that was his unexpected and untimely death I learned a lot about me.

Today was a day of memories and love.

I want you to cherish what you have each and every day.  If you are putting off making a phone call, please make it.  You never know what each moment brings.

Brown rice is boring...

Brown rice is healthier for you than white rice.  Rice in general is pretty darn boring!

So tonight, experimentation!

In my water I did 2 quick shakes of Mrs. Dash and then I cooked the rice according to directions.  Instead of butter, I took one wedge of Light Laughing Cow Garlic & Herb Cheese and melted it in the rice.  Best rice ever!  Laughing Cow Light is only 35 calories so it's totally worth it. 

I spooned the rice onto a plate, put a grilled chicken breast on top and had uncooked carrots and broccoli with a little bit of no MSG light ranch dressing. 

Now I'm totally craving some ice cream! 

Tomorrow is workout with the trainer, tonight was walking.

Until tomorrow...

Thought of the day:
Sometimes you have to give into your cravings.  A small chocolate ice cream did it for me :)

The best part of waking up

So today didn't go as planned...

I just didn't get enough stuff done.   I probably shouldn't have taken that nap.  I wonder if I will get anything done if I go to Barnes & Noble or the library. 

After my 0.82 mile run without stopping yesterday, I did some strength training and core training today.  I'm really hoping soon that I can get up to 1 mile.  Almost to 1/3 of the way to a 5k. I'm going to get up tomorrow and run.  3 trips around the apt. complex is the goal which puts me over a mile.  I will update tomorrow.

Until tomorrow...

Thought of the day:

Ready... Set...

curl up in a ball and scream!

I'm feeling extremely overwhelmed right now.  I really have no desire to get my work done.  I know I have a lot to do, but doing it just sounds so... BORING!

So instead, I decided to use the SpotBot to clean parts of the carpet.  All was good until I had to empty it and it wouldn't turn back on.  Luckily I'm still under warranty.  Right now though I'm about to hurt the cat.  I think she peed on the floor in the hallway!  Stupid brat!  I was going to clean the couch but I guess I'll have to wait until after my SpotBot gets back from the doctor. On a brighter note, the area by the door looks good, it still needs some work (it died while I was cleaning that area).

Now that I've complained about my cat and the SpotBot, I can complain about my papers.

If anyone wants to write a paper on "The Sociocultural Approach: Second Language Acquisition of Female Refugee Students" I will happily let you, LOL!

I have a ream of paper worth of research to read for the 2 papers. They are due on Monday April 30th. 

Tonight's exercise Wii, tomorrow running, Wednesday running, Thursday (trainer hopefully), Friday running, Saturday running, Sunday running, Monday running.

That's my goal anyway.  We shall see what the next few days brings...

Until tomorrow...

Thought of the day:
Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today.

I'm in love!

As I was coming home from the casino, I decided to take the back way.  I wanted to avoid the turnpike. 

I fell in love with the countryside.  It was beautiful and the entire way I wanted to just get lost on the country roads.  I wanted to go for a walk in the forests and enjoy the outdoors. 

There were some beautiful plantation houses!  I want one!  Do you think anyone would care if I knocked on the door?

Didn't win anything at the casino but I did enjoy my walk tonight.  It was chilly but it felt good.  Since I have this week off, every day is a workout day.  I'm not quite up to 1 mile yet but I will be soon.  Wish me luck!

Until tomorrow...

Thought of the day:
Quit while you're ahead!

Saturday!

Rain?!  Were you supposed to come tonight?  I don't think so...

Didn't eat well today, I blame my laziness and procrastination.  I just didn't feel like it.  Sucky excuse right?!

I know better, I just didn't want to. 

Tomorrow I'm going to the Indian reservation with my mom and her friends.  I've never been to Prairie Band so I'm excited to go.  I hope I don't lose all of my money and maybe break even.  Wishful thinking....

Better attitude tomorrow...

Thought of the day:
Attitude makes all the difference!

April 20th

I am having an issue with motivation today.  I didn't want to get my work done for class.  I didn't want to eat right, I didn't want to exercise.

I just wanted to sit on my a$$ and do nothing!  Well, I got my work done, I ate like I was supposed to but I didn't get much exercise in.  If you count sitting on a yoga ball while on the phone, then yes, I did exercise. 

I have quite a bit of work to do on my final papers.  This next week will be all about that!  They are due April 30th so my focus has to be that.  I really don't want to but it's a must. 

I hope that everyone has a wonderful weekend!  Get out there and enjoy it!

Until tomorrow...

Thought of the day:

April 19th

Today was not a good day...

I've been on the verge of a migraine all day.  I have felt nauseous, my body was sore, and I have had no energy.  I took a 3 and a half hour nap when I got home from work and am ready to go back to bed.  I hate feeling this way. 

I'm hoping this is just my lack of sleep that is making me feel this way.  I'm hoping tomorrow to be able to get a good workout in.

We are on break for the next week.  I go back to school on May 1st so I'm hoping to be able to train each day. 

I'm going to go to bed and pray I'm not getting sick. 

Until tomorrow...

Thought of the day:
Take care of your body, it's the only one you have.

Holy Crap!

Me in spring 2010, My picture for kindergarten round up

Me in spring 2012, My picture for kindergarten round up

The kindergarten teachers make a powerpoint for round up every year.  I was given a copy of the powerpoint yesterday so I could put some pictures in it.  I saw the picture, above left, and almost started crying.  I look TERRIBLE!!!!!  I had to have a new picture taken.  Although there is some nasty glare, you can see some clear changes.  Wow!  That was scary!

2 nights in one

It was just not possible to post last night, I had too much going on and it wasn't going to happen.

So yesterday, I went to the community college track and some really rude and mean "kids" (I call them that because they look to be late teens, early 20's) were at the track screwing around.  I started doing my first lap and they were just being idiots.  When I got to the point where I start jogging, as I jog by them, they start after me saying things like, "she's not running, she's rolling!"  "I move faster than that when I walk!"

I know that they are immature jerks!  Don't get me wrong, they mean nothing to me but all of those feeling from when I was younger came back.  I have worked for 3 and a half months to get to where I am now.  Unfortunately, I felt horrible afterwards. I got 3/4 mile jog and 1/2 mile walk in.  I just couldn't do it.  Those idiots upset me!  Why did I let them get to me?  They are nothing.

I got back to the car and just started crying.  It felt good to get it out!

Today wasn't much better.  It just occurred to me why.  I have felt off all day and just felt sick to my stomach.  My dear cousin would have been 36 years old today.  We lost Mariah Sept. 30, 2004.  I love her and miss her every day!

The next few months are going to be difficult.  We lost my grandfather April 26, 2004 and my grammy May 12, 2003.  I have to push through it and know that they are proud of me and looking down from heaven giving me the push that I need.

Instead of something exercise related today, I will leave you with this...


"You think the dead we loved ever truely leave us? You think that we don't recall them more clearly than ever in times of great trouble?"
~Professor Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

-14.4

I have no idea where this sudden drop is coming from but I'll take it.  Maybe it's the water weight that is falling off.  Maybe it's the fact that I'm not eating all my calories.  I don't know what it is but I'll take it!

I didn't get home until after 7:30 tonight so I wasn't able to do much working out.  I got some walking in.  I just walked "around the block" so about 10 minutes or so.  At least it was movement.  Tomorrow is running day.  I'm actually looking forward to it!  My goal... walk 1 lap, jog 3 laps, walk 1 lap, jog 3 laps.

Wish me luck!  I'll let you know how it goes...

Until tomorrow...

Thought of the day:
Jogging is very beneficial. It's good for your legs and your feet. It's also very good for the ground. If makes it feel needed.
Charles M. Schulz

April 15th

 Happy 3rd Birthday Trey!  Aunt Mekka loves and misses you!

 No comment needed!  

Until tomorrow....

Spring in Kansas

I am still sitting at 276.2!

Went for a walk today, worried about the weather, and didn't eat what I should have.

Basically I didn't eat enough.  I was so stressed about the weather that I only ate cereal for dinner.  Not the healthiest but it was food. 

We haven't seen any of the nasty weather here in KC that the rest of the state is seeing.  To my family in Wichita, be safe!

I got a weather radio today and it's been really quiet.  I hope it stays that way.  I've had 3 people ask to call/text if it goes off.  I sure don't have a problem doing that!  I just want everyone being safe. 

I'm going to try to sleep but I just don't think it will happen.

Until tomorrow...

Be Safe!

Friday the 13th Part 2

So this is the 2nd Friday the 13th this year. I hope you had a good day!

I started my day out another pound lighter.  That is -11.8 pounds now!!!!

It feels awesome to see the pounds fall off.  It's also an awesome feeling to have my clothes fall off.  I have many pairs of pants that I don't need to unbutton, I can just slide them off.

I'm feeling a little blue, a little stressed and a little frustrated.  Instead of eating I went for a walk. Instead of eating I wrote in my private journal.  I'm hoping that these feelings don't affect my progress.

These feelings are one minute at a time, one hour at a time, one meal at a time and one day at a time. I just have to learn to deal with all of these frustrations and feelings in a different way.   I think the walking and the private journal writing helped. 

You have homework this weekend...
I want you to think about what you do when you are feeling stressed, frustrated, depressed.  Is it healthy what you are doing?  How could you change it to be healthier?

Do Wah Diddy Diddy Dum Diddy Do

So I heard this on the radio and it has been in my head all night!  So because I'm evil, you now have it in your head!  HA!




I am currently sitting at 277.2!  Almost 11 pounds!  I am on my way!  More running this weekend!  YAY!

Until tomorrow though...

Thought of the day:
The song is in your head HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

April 11th

It's been a stressful and productive day.

Food intake was below normal.  I was way under calories for today.

I cleaned the house and did some aerobics on the yoga ball.  Nothing fancy but at least I was moving.

Since I tripped after leaving school today, I was hurting and didn't feel like I could do too much.

I hate the parking situation around the school.  There is never any place to park!  For the last two days, the only place was against the residential.  The curb there sucks and today I caught the toe of my shoe in the crack of the curb and fell into my car.

I guess I need to watch where I am going.  I must say though, this is the first really clumsy thing I've done in awhile.

Please be careful out there, it's a dangerous world, especially for us clumsy people!

Until tomorrow...

Thought of the day:
If you can't walk and chew gum, you probably shouldn't chew gum. :)

Stronger

As I was browsing through the wallpapers for my phone I found one that says "Stronger".  I went on and didn't look back.  When I couldn't find one that I liked, I went back to stronger.  For some reason it stands out to me...

I think I know why.

Lots of things have happened in the last year.  I am a stronger person because of the things that have happened.  Everyday the things that happen make me a better person.

For example, I am 9 days without soda.  To be honest, I don't miss it.  Iced tea, coffee and water seems to be enough.  I admit that I saw a co-worker with a Diet Cherry Coke today and wanted to rip it out of her hands and chug it.  I even tried to figure out if I had enough money to buy a pop.  I decided to chew a piece of gum and that seemed to fix the craving.

My body is stronger as well.  I was amazed at how much stronger I was today while doing my strength training.  4 months ago I never would have imagined myself here.  I am lifting weights, running 1 mile in 1/2 mile increments and preparing for a 5k.

If you can make it to the 6 month mark, you have changed your lifestyle and can keep it up.  I have made up my mind that this is a permanent change.

I am a stronger person for making these changes.

Overall, stronger is my new motto.

What's your motto for your new and better life?

*There is no thought of the day, just the question above.  What you do with it is up to you...

Gorda, grassa, то́лстый, gros, мазнина, 脂肪, λίπος, שומן, 지방, ไขมัน,

What do all of the words in my post title have in common?  Some of you may know the first word is the feminine of fat in Spanish.

All of the other words are fat as well.  Today a lovely kindergarten student called me a gorda.  I know I'm fat.  I'm changing that.  But you know, don't be rude and a brat.

So to make myself feel better, I decided to get my pictures from February and from April to compare.

So here they are!

I hope you can see the difference.  I posted this a few weeks ago but I am going to remind everyone again...

I think this is true! 

I really hope you are seeing changes in your body.  The feeling is awesome!  

On a side note, I dyed my hair last night.  

It's a little wet in the picture but I love it!  I'm going back to my cherry cola days!  I may not be drinking pop (8 days and counting) but I can wear it!

I have lots of work to do on a paper.  So Until tomorrow....

Thought of the day:

Happy Easter!

Today was one of those days when I just didn't want to do anything.  I woke up about 8ish and continued to feel awful.  My allergies are bad right now and my head feels heavy.  I've rinsed out my sinuses with a saline flush twice today and my jog tonight wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

Instead of going to the track I decided to take a lap around the complex.  I downloaded Endomondo to track my distance while I run. I got 0.92 miles in tonight.  The track is flat, the complex is not.  But I will say, that I did run the majority of it though.

To be honest, I would rather be surfing Pinterest right now instead of blogging.  Pinterest doesn't take brain cells to mindlessly look.  Blogging takes some.

So until tomorrow...

Thought of the day:
Do what makes you happy unless it makes you unhealthy.

ouch!

My thigh muscles are so sore!  Even though I wasn't feeling good, I still went for my run.

I did the same thing I did last night, 1/4 mile walk, 1/2 mile run, 1/4 mile walk, 1/2 mile run.  I got home and now feel like crap.

I think my allergies are getting the best of me plus when it's that time of the month, well, yay cramps!

I'm feeling more confident about the 5k in June!

I think I'm going to go to bed a little earlier tonight then I normally do on Saturday.  Ah well, I have to take care of me.

Until tomorrow...

Thought of the day:
Be positive, be happy, be yourself and be healthy!

Focus on Fit

While looking up something entirely not related on WebMd today, I came across the article "Focus on Fitness, Not Fatness".  I had to stop and read it because it sounded interesting.

As I was reading the article, nothing new was discovered, no "aha!" moment was had.  But what it did have for me was the moment when I discovered that what I'm doing is correct.  Here is a link to the article...
http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/guide/focus-on-fitness-not-fatness

The author of the article is right, America and the Western civilizations are obsessed with weight and skinny.  Google fashion magazine covers, what do you find?  You will find the skinny mini models that have been photoshopped anorexic.  This kind of behavior from photo editors should not be tolerated.  I want to be seen as me and not as something Photoshopped.

Don't get me wrong, I have wanted to Photoshop myself skinny to see what I would look like but I have refrained from it for many reasons, the biggest reason is because it is not healthy for me to do so.  Why do that to yourself?

On the exercise front...
I went to the community college tonight for my exercise.  I walked one lap (1/4 mile), jogged 2 laps (1/2 mile), walked 1 lap (1/4 mile) and jogged 2 laps (1/2 mile).  So that would be jogged 1 mile and walked 1/2 mile.

I got to ogle the police academy guys running.  That was motivation tonight :)  Yummy eye candy!

I can totally see why people run.  I never thought I would be running.  I enjoy the high that I get when I'm finished.

I'm hoping the weather remains nice this weekend so I can go back to the track.

Until tomorrow...

Thought of the day:

April 5th

Today was one of those days when you just want to curl up in bed and cry.  Things were going great until I had 2 small conversations that twisted my day around.

It's odd though, once I started teaching again after lunch, it's like nothing else happened.

As far as food and eating my emotions, I tried my best not to.  I was still under my calories.  I didn't exercise today, I decided that it was best to rest my body.  Not to mention I had a lot of school work to do and needed to focus on that.

Today was day 5 without pop.  I feel really good about it.  I'm craving it but instead of drinking a pop, I drink some Vitamin Water Zero.  I get something sweet but don't need much of it.  After a few drinks of it, I end up back to my water or tea.

I have researched pop/soda drinking and diet.  Here are some good articles:
http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/how-can-i-stop-drinking-so-much-soda
http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/sodas-and-your-health-risks-debated
http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/trying-to-lose-weight-watch-what-you-drink

Drinking your calories isn't a good idea... try to find alternatives...

Unfortunately, tonight is another quick discombobulated post.  Homework calls... again.

Until tomorrow..

Thought of the day:
Get your mind set to cut one unhealthy thing out of your day to day eating habits.  How can that change your overall health?

Comment below on what you are cutting out, I will check back with you.

April 4th

After an exhausting day, I managed to get a good workout in.

10 minutes on the Wii doing balance and strength training.  Then I did 20 minutes jogging.  I had to stop twice because my toes were going numb.  Once I got the feeling back in them by walking (about 1 minute or less) I kept going.

Today I was way under calories and oddly enough I'm not hungry.  I have no idea how I managed that

For now, I'm tired and want to go to bed.

So...

Until tomorrow...

Thought of the day:
Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right!

April 3rd

Day 2 with no pop of any kind... How do I feel about it?  Well, I feel great!  No headaches yesterday and the only reason I have one today is because I slept funny.  It's my neck that hurts and is causing the headache.

I understand that running on the Wii is not completely accurate but I'm going to take what I can get.  Yesterday my 10 minutes yielded 1.351 Wii miles, today it yielded...

My Mii is even happy for me!

My calves are sore but I've made it 3 months.  2 months, 3 weeks and 4 days until the Color Run.  I definitely am on the right track.

Tomorrow, if it is not raining, I want to go run on a track.  Get some outdoor work in.

Get out there and move people, if you don't do it, nobody will do it for you!

Until tomorrow...

Thought of the Day:

Happy 3 monthaversary!

First, Happy Birthday Mom!  I love you and hope you had a good day!

3 months ago today I started on this journey.  January 2nd was the first day of my new life.

I've had some ups and downs but in general, life is good!  It did take some pictures tonight to track progress but I'm not posting them tonight.  I didn't get them uploaded to the computer so it will just have to wait.

I did some jogging tonight on the Wii.  I don't think the distance is exact but it's pretty darn close.

Here is what I did tonight...

This was a 10 minute "Free Run"

I will definitely be running the 5k in June!  I'm hoping to work my way up to 20 minutes by next week.

I am also planning on doing some jogging outside.  That is part of the issue.  It's one thing to do it in the A/C but another to do it outside.  I know jogging on a track would be best just because I can track how far I'm going.

I'm learning how to breathe while jogging.  It's quite difficult to change your breathing.  Put a hand on your stomach and one on your chest.  If your stomach is moving, then you are not breathing correctly.

Well, today was a good day but it is time for bed.

Until tomorrow...

Thought of the day:

April Fool's Day

I woke up from a nap today thinking it was tomorrow.  It was that moment when you felt like you had slept all night.  In reality it was only about an hour.  It still felt invigorating.  Afterwards I was able to get quite a bit done.  YAY!

So I've decided that I have to cut out diet pop from my diet completely.  I was only drinking one can a day but after some research, I have found that it is not only the artificial sweetners but it is the carbonation.

See this website for more: http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/fitness/weight-loss/want-to-lose-weight-fast-cut-out-soda-from-your-diet.html

I drank iced tea for my caffeine today.  So far no withdrawal.  I'm hoping by cutting pop out, I'll move some of the weight off.

Tomorrow, I won't get home until late but I will be working out regardless.  It may just be on the Wii but at least I'm moving.

Until tomorrow...

Thought of the day: