Knitten Kittens

Kick It!

2010-03-10T02:52:34Z

Kickboxing tonight was awesome. Jack was feeling very social and quite funny and as always he is amazingly observant for having a huge class full of people. He's been doing a tiny bit of yoga-ish stuff at the end of our floor work and one of the positions requires us to sit on our knees. Well my knees aren't into that so much, so I alter things so I don't have to do that and last week he apparently noticed as he spoke to me about our other floor work tonight. For example, when we are on our knees and elbows doing leg/butt work, he asked how I was dealing with that. I explained some nights it wasn't too bad, that one knee plays me up more than the other one and when it was bad I had to stop for a minute. As we were having this conversation before class started, he offered me an alternative solution to the exercise of lying on my back and raising my ass cheek with my leg in the air kinda thing. I told him he had lost me, so down on the floor he went to show me. This is why I lurve this man. He is funny, attentive, but more importantly, he is a teacher. He makes the class enjoyable, pays attention to the participants and points out any errors anyone is doing which could cause injury.

So, good class tonight and it has to last me two weeks as Jack won't be there next week and the gal who covers for him I cannot freakin' stand. So maybe I will try to pick up another class next week because I enjoy the group setting to break up the monotony of my solitary workouts. I would love to have a workout partner but it is not in the cards right now, so the weekly kickboxing give me some camaraderie with other people with similar goals.

Now with that being said, after my two mile run yesterday, I felt every squat and kick tonight as if it were the first time. My calves felt tight and my thighs ached, but by the end of the workout I felt looser. Of course tomorrow is a scheduled run day, so that will be the true test of stamina.

Wish me luck.

Feeling My Age Today

2010-03-09T00:36:00Z

So as the weather was nice yesterday, I opted to work in the front yard for a few hours to get things ready for spring. Today, I worked, started my period and did my second two mile run (yes, I did it on Friday...thought it would kill me...more on that in a moment) before running two errands and going home to do some serious gardening in the back yard. Now, everything hurts and I am ready for bed at 7:47.

The run on Friday was sheer torture, but I persevered. It was hard. Really, really hard. I was soaked when it was over and all I wanted was a place to quietly die. My calves were killing me for two days after, but I also reveled in the fact that I had run two miles.

Today's run, though still hard, went better. I just should not have pushed things with the yard work afterward. The only really weird thing is that with both Friday's two miles and today's two miles, I ended up with a headache by the end of the run. Any takers on why this would be? I also still have the headache into the evening. WTH?

Though I have never been a fan of cooking shows, I saw a preview last night for Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution and I am intrigued:

"I believe that every child in America has the right to fresh, nutritious school meals, and that every family deserves real, honest, wholesome food."

With the obesity epidemic getting worse in this country and having once been a big part of it, I have to stand behind anyone who can use fame or otherwise to try to change it. I'm anxious to see what his plan is; it premieres March 26th on ABC.

The church lady is trying to drive me up a tree. She makes mountains out of every little ~~mole~~ ~~ant~~ flea hill she possibly can. It's bad enough she does this with church stuff and inconveniences everyone who happens to be in her path, but she likes to pick the moments when I am the busiest to ask me stupid questions. Case in point...today's conversation:

CL: Well, good morning, Kim. I see you are all dressed for spring.

Me: I am dressed for the gym (I had on knee length workout pants, sneakers, my shirt and tank covered by a thumb hole hoodie, and a hat.

CL: Oh, the gym. But you have a hat on.

Me (wondering what the hat has to do with the price of eggs anywhere) Yeah. I'm running today.

CL: Oh and you need a hat when you run.

Me: (thinking this is worse than the Spanish inquisition) No, but it helps catch some sweat.

CL: Oh, you sweat when you run.

What planet is she from? Seriously? Maybe the running has nothing to do with the headache. Maybe it's all her.

Sweet Friday

2010-03-05T15:33:00Z

I am so looking forward to putting my feet up tonight and relaxing! Tomorrow is going to be busy...trip to the dump, two birthday parties, a veggie tray I need to buy stuff for and put together. So tonight, I just want to chill...

...especially since today is the first two mile run I have scheduled and I am a bit nervous. I'm sure it will be fine, but still...when I think of running two miles it feels a little bit overwhelming. I'll let you know how it goes.

I get a little bit freaked out when people tell me I am inspiring them. I don't quite get it, but maybe it is because I have never seen myself as inspirational and it certainly isn't my goal. I think it is a good thing and when I think about it, if I can help one person, through this blog chatter, to start making themselves a priority in their own life, I am honored to be able to do that. It took me a long time to be able to do it for myself, but until we do it, nothing will ever change. And it isn't selfish. If we don't take care of ourselves, we won't be around to take care of anyone else, so making ourselves a priority is actually out of a need to be around for those who love and need us.

So yeah, if I inspire you in some small way, I'm happy to do it. I went through the first half of my life (well, first half, providing I don't die like tomorrow or something) really big, with a body that didn't allow me to do the things I wanted to be able to do. Now, though surgery gave me a boost or a head start on weight loss, I've also busted my ass at the gym for a long time now. I made a deal with myself before I ever had surgery and that was that I was going to do my part to make this work. If I was not willing to commit to that, then why was I putting my life on the line on an operating table in the first place? And no, none of it has been easy. I sweat a lot doing cardio and there are so many moments I just want to quit. I ache in the evenings after I run, but the next morning, I feel great. It's a give and take; a love and hate relationship I have with exercise.

I got all pissed off yesterday because it was a cross training day for me and I was a little pressed for time due to a delightful sushi lunch with a friend, so I chose the elliptical as my poison. Now, the hootchie mama next to me on her elliptical, decided to have her blue tooth in and was handling her business calls LOUDLY as she worked out, so I had to really crank up my ipod to not hear her. But the other part of that is that I don't really believe anyone should be that kind of distracted while working out. I just don't, for a couple of reasons.

First off, if you are listening to someone else, you aren't listening to your body. It could be sending you a warning signal about something that you may be ignoring as you aren't paying attention.

Secondly, how hard are you really working if you are chatting the whole time? I try to push myself during cardio and that means I can maybe grunt out a word or two to you, but don't ask me to help you solve world hunger or something while I am running or on the elliptical. I am trying to get my heart rate up and trying to keep it up so I can burn the maximum amount of calories and fat and to improve my cardio vascular system. I only got one body, honey, and I would like it to last me awhile yet, so like changing the oil in the car, I need to keep myself primed and in good working order.

I have recently passed on the website for the C25K Cool Running program to a few friends who are interested. Follow it to the letter. You may feel like you can run more the first week or second week, but the goal is that you don't injure yourself and that you build up slowly. It is a great program and it is what got me started. Stick with it and be ready to be amazed. I don't recommend Robert Ullrey's podcasts unless you like techno music, which I do not. I used it once or twice, but peeps, I need lyrics and preferably inspiration ones with a good beat to git 'er done. Treadmill timing worked best for me or making up a sheet that told me at what minute I started running, and when I stopped etc. But whatever works for you. I think out there on the internet are ways to create your own, with your little bells and whistles to tell you when to stop and start your runs too, for those of you who are technical minded. And those of you who are, inspire me.

Have a great weekend! Take care of yourselves!

Thursday Thirteen

2010-03-04T16:27:00Z

So today, I am going to amuse you with my current fave songs, many of which are on my ipod for my workouts. Please remember that I have kids, so some of these songs become embedded in my head and heart against my will and before I know it, I am singing along to them on the radio, all the while thinking how horrified some of my friends would be.

Okay, here you go, in no particular order:

"The Climb" Miley Cyrus. Scary, eh? I am not a huge fan of her voice, but I love the song. Great inspirational lyrics. "Always gonna be another mountain. Always gonna wanna make it move.."
"Love Story" by Taylor Swift. She sucked live on the Grammy Awards but on the radio, this song is catchy as hell. Yes, I am embarrassed to admit it.
"Fireflies" by Owl City. I don't even know what this song is about. Dreaming maybe? idk, but I love it.
"Put a Ring on It" by Beyonce. Not a fan of hers, but ever since I watched the football players on "Glee" do this, I was sold. Great song to run to..it has the right beat.
"I'm Yours" Jason Mraz. Makes me do hand motions in my car to it while I am driving. Don't ask; I don't get it either.
"Bubbly" Colbie Caillat Absolutely silly song. I lurve it.
"Unwritten" Natasha Bedingfield. Another song with meaningful lyrics. "Reaching for something in the distance, so close you can almost taste it, release your inhibitions..."
"Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" KT Tunstall. I chair dance to this...might not be pretty but I have a good time.
"Bad Day" by Daniel Powder...I found an upbeat version of this on ~~Limewire~~ iTunes that is great for my workouts.
"Man in the Mirror" by MJ. I have always loved this song and what it stood for. Powerful.
"Right Round" Flo Rida. I don't think I will ever get tired of this song, even though I always feel the urge to start kickboxing when I hear it...even if I am in the middle of a store.
"Dream Big" David Cook. Again, great lyrics that move me. "'Coz if you don't dream big what's the use of dreaming? If you don't have faith, there's nothing worth believing. It takes one look to make the stars worth reaching for... So reach out for something more."
"Halo/Walking on Sunshine" The Glee Cast. Great beat and has me pumping on the elliptical like nobodies bidness. All good, baby.

So there ya go. My Thursday Thirteen!

Thursday Thirteen is a little blogger meme. Come play with us, if you'd like!

Drench Your Skin in Words Unspoken; Live Your Life With Arms Wide Open

2010-03-04T01:28:00Z

I actually ran 1.5 miles today...the day AFTER kickboxing!

I cannot stress enough how hard it is. I in no way find it easy. Running is hard work and I am not even running that far yet. I start and by the time I have done .15 of a mile, I am convinced I am insane and that maybe I smoked a little too much in my twenties because my brain cells are surely fried. By the time I have hit half a mile, I am pep talking myself:

"Only a mile left. Only a mile."

Then when I hit .75, I am praying for the freakin' finish line. The sweat is pouring down my face and dripping from the inside crook of my arms and I am thinking death would be welcome right about now. Then magic happens when I hit the mile. Suddenly it is all doable. I know I will make the mile and a half and despite the sweat and the ache in my knees, I am almost bursting with excitement and feeling an incredible sense of accomplishment. Amazingly enough, once I hit the mile and a half, it does not take my breathing long to even out...not much more than a minute. I just slow the pace to a walk and recovery comes quickly. If running is something you ever wished to do, I say try it. Start slowly, like with the Cool Running program you can find on the internet. It starts you out so slowly...like thirty second runs...which are HARD when you have never run before. I remember those minute runs that almost killed me and now it floors my ass that I am running a mile and a half. Pinch me. It is still so hard for me to believe.

And while I am talking about running, I have decided that if I ever run my first 5K, I want to celebrate with something like this, minus the latin:

I love it. This foot actually belongs to Denise. I saw it on her blog and fell in love. I have been wanting another tat but had no idea what to get or where to put it. This feels perfect...though the pain of having one done on a boney foot causes me a little pause.

From the treadmill, I did my medicine ball crunches and then did some free weight arm work. Food was much better for me today too. Kickin'.

Tomorrow, lunch with Leisl...sushi! Then a cross training workout at the Y. We're almost to Friday, kids! What is your weekend looking like?

Ending the Night With Stresssssss

2010-03-03T01:29:00Z

Yeah, I totally am, ergo, time to blog.

I'm debating running tomorrow. Today would have been my run day but it is my kickboxing day and doing both on the same day would be suicide. However, running tomorrow might be painful because of kickboxing tonight. I just hate to get way off my self-imposed training schedule. Tod seems to think I should do one more 1.5 run and then up it to two miles. He seems to think that the hardest part of running is breaking that first mile, which I have done, and that after that, a runner can advance more quickly. I'll let you know if that myth is true or busted.

My To Do list is growing in leaps and bounds. I still have to study and pass my bus driving tests. I want to paint the bathroom. I need to touch up painting some woodwork around here. I am dying to get outside to do some work out there and rumor has it the temps should be in the 50s this weekend. I can but hope. I have also promised JJ to do away with his bunk this weekend to give him just a single bed, which means cleaning up his room. And I have two...TWO birthday parties on Saturday; one in the afternoon and one in the evening. Grrrr. The one in the afternoon was supposed to have been earlier so I'm iffy on that one, but would still like to make an appearance.

I am currently struggling with too much munching. There. I said it. I bought jelly beans...I have that thing for chewy stuff. Jimnotmike, I did find those veggie straws at Costco...Yum. My rule simply needs to be not to succumb to buying something thinking I will just nibble a few, like jellybeans....or peanut butter eggs; thank you Parish Life committee for those little gems. I simply don't have the self control to have these things in my possession. There is no "little bit" in Kimland. My mother offered to buy us milkshakes the other day and I refused mine, tho I had a few sips of someone else's. If I had one to myself I would have drank the whole thing obviously. I KNOW ME! So beings I know me so well, I need to listen to what I know about me and stop thinking I am able to control myself in the face of sugary crapola. There is no benefit in that food for me and again, I know this. So, no more buying it. I am learning to just say "NO!" And you know what else is weird? Since my surgery, I occasionally get this hypoglycemic episodes where my sugar plummets. The weird part is that every time I eat something high in sugar, like jellybeans....an hour later, my sugar tanks. I don't know anything about the chemistry of why that would be so. Anyone know?

Ah Monday, Why Can't We Be Friends?

2010-03-02T00:50:00Z

So apparently, Godaddy decided to eat half of my blog submission, which really ticks me off because it is my bedtime and because I am semi-anal, I have to fix this because it looks like a half assed blog entry!

First off, I did change the name of the blog, though the URL remains the same. This little corner of the blogospere started out as a knitting blog. Though I still like to knit when I have time, knitting isn't really what the blog is about and hasn't been about in quite some time. Now, when people are Googling, someting like "Blogs about running" or "Blogs about health", knitten kittens doesn't do much to lead them here. I have given this a lot of thought and Saturday, took the plunge.

The weekend was really good. No kids, so Friday night we went out for Indian food. I decided to be adventureous and ordered something new: chicken and spinach:

If you have never experienced Indian food, I highly recommend it. Not all spicy, and you can order most things that are spicy, as non. Also lots of vegetarian dishes for meatless friends.

Saturday, we picked up mom and journeyed to Costco for our quarterly meat run. Buying meat in bulk is the only way to go. Then we hit Gabriel Brothers. Great store! We got four hoodies for the kids, two pairs of workout pants for me, a golf shirt for The Brit, four bags of Quaker Rice cakes (which I pay $3 a bag for at Walmart. .99 cents at Gabriel's!), two bags of combos and a large storage container for $40! Can't beat that, baby!

Then we went to lunch, where the service was so bad we got it for free:

The Brit and mom before the suck was turned up on the service.

Then after dropping mom off, we hit some pawn shops, looking for an MP3 player for oldest son and on the way, we found a great representation of our little town:

I don't know what is "Comming" soon, but I would be wary of the education level of the employees.

Sunday, was church and I ran another 1.5 miles here at home on my new treadmill. Dang, I love having one. Then it was dinner with Paula, Dane, PK and Molly which was much fun.

Monday at work was busy. And then there are the peanut butter eggs the Parish Life committee at church has made which are like chocolate covered sex. Holy crap. All bad.

Went shopping with Tod this afternoon which is always enjoyable. One of the few men in my life who actually likes to shop as much as I do. Then home for dinner cooking and treadmill walking and tonight is finally over. I have lots to do at work tomorrow and then kickboxing tomorrow. It can only get closer to Friday from here. Oh and all my friends are back home where they belong; Em and Dave have returned from their cruise and I think Kelly is back from California. I miss them on Facebook when they are not around!

ETA: Though it Almost killed me....

2010-02-26T19:21:00Z

.....A mile and a half run?

Done.

TGIF!!!

2010-02-26T15:56:00Z

It's cold and windy outside but at least it is Friday!

So I entered a contest over at Shut up and Run for a pair of ear buds for my ipod that are apparently the bee's knees for a runner (I still roll my eyes and giggle when I call myself that. Not feelin' it yet!). Now, I never win anything, but she is giving away ten pairs of them and only ~~a kabillion~~ 375 people have entered, so I guess there is a marginal chance I could win a pair. I love mine for walking but when the sweat starts dripping when I am running, they like to slide out my ears and then I have that distraction while trying not to fall off the treadmill.

You may have noticed I have included links to some of the running blogs I have been following. Some of these folks are seasoned runners and others are newbies like yours truly, but I find reading them to be pretty interesting. I have a special place in my heart for new female runners in their forties, and would love to find some more blogs of these women that I know are out there!

When I develop an interest in something, I go full speed ahead with trying to gather up all information I possibly can on the subject. So I am currently reading this:

and will be following that up with this by the same author:

And this is also sitting on my table waiting for my attention:

So much to learn, so little time.

Today's goal is to STRETCH as I need to turn down the suck on that and then to run 1.50 miles. I don't know yet if I am feeling it, but I am certainly going to try. No run yesterday. Legs felt sore so I ellipticalled for thirty minutes instead followed by crunches. We will call that a cross training day. So today is a run day and I'll see how it goes.

Also, yesterday that the Y, Jerry gave me a form for a 5k in June that he felt I could run/walk. I'm thinking about it. It would be nice to have a goal as I tend to do fairly well with those.

My low carb Lent is also sucking. I am currently running to support my carb habit. Ugh. But every day is a new day and a new chance to get it right. So far today, so good.

Weekend plans? Not a clue. No kids as grandma wants them, so things are wide open. Costco probably Sunday, but tomorrow is wide open. Anyone free? Want to get into something like dinner? Who knows? Shoot me a line with any suggestions. In the meantime, have a happy weekend and I shall see you on Monday!

Thursday 13

2010-02-25T15:24:00Z

I really struggled with what 13 things to list this week, which is kind of sad as it is only week 2 of my doing this! But nothing was really jumping out at me and I got all my complaining out of my system yesterday. So how about this:

13 Things I love about Spring

Watching the trees take on new life. Once barren and desolate, tiny sprigs of green began to form which will eventually bring shade to warm summer days.

Warm days. Enough said.

Being able to open the windows in my house to air it all out after a cold, confining winter.

Walking and running outside. I could do this in the winter, but I'd rather eat poo.

Fire Pit Fridays

Being able to put away winter sweaters and break out out the shorts and sandals.

Being barefoot.

The sound of kids playing outside.

Daylight savings time ends.

Cleaning all the salt residue off my car and giving it a good cleaning.

Working in the yard and garden.

Walks around the park with Tod.

Driving with the windows down.

So ready for Spring, people!

I went out on a limb today and am waiting to see if I will receive A) a kick in the teeth for it; no answer at all; or C) a pleasant surprise.

We will be kidless this weekend as their grandmother asked if she could have them, so I am wondering what thing we can get up to. Need to make a Costco run, but am not sure if it is in the budget this week.

Oh and used the new treadmill yesterday! YAY! Kickin' baby! Only ran one painful mile (that whole Tuesday night kickboxing brutality) and walked a mile. Is it okay to run several days in a row? I plan to maybe run today after work, but I'll have to see how I feel.

I love my shirts with the thumb holes. So warm and snuggie!

***Thursday 13 is a little blog meme that is shared across the internets. To participate, please go here and sign up!

Today is Shaping up to SUCK

2010-02-24T14:48:00Z

Okay, so that might be slightly over dramatic. The morning is just having its share of irritations. Irritation #1 is really bugging me today. Why can't I get straight answers for things I need? Why does he always talk over me when I am trying to get to the answer? Irritation #2 I usually don't see on Wednesdays, but because they are calling for a few inches of snow tonight, this irritation is coming in today. It's like a double whammy. And that irritation talks too...A LOT and basically says nothing, especially nothing positive...about anything. You know the type.

So my motto of the day is:
I don't need anger management; you just need to stop pissing me off!

Then there is the teenager I am currently living with. These people are difficult! He thinks I am the most unreasonable person in the world because I parent him. He has this friend up the road, M. Now M, from my point of view, pretty much gets to run the neighborhood as he wants to. My kids do this to a certain extent, but come dark, in the winter, I want them inside. The teen does not get this. I try to explain to him that there is a difference with kids being outside at 8:30 or 9:00 in June and kids being outside at 8:30 or 9:00 in February. Summer months it is daylight longer, plus people are outside and out and about. Winter, people are in, snuggled in front of their television, wishing to hell spring would get here (or maybe that is just me).

The teen also tends to do some stupid stuff when he is with M, such as having snowball fights across our neighbor's front porch (the neighbor who is elderly and has Parkinson's.) or taking off on their bikes to ride downtown without asking. So last night when kickboxing time came around, my teen wanted to stay home and play with M, to which I told him no. Then he asked if he could go back out once we got home and again, I told him no, because by the time we got home and ate dinner it would be 8:15. So he sulked and didn't speak to me at Y until the end of kickboxing. Of course, I told Jack McFarland and my kickboxing buddies the evil I had done and they all agreed that I was being responsible, they would do the same thing, and that he is a teen and is supposed to be angry with me all the time. It's just hard when you want to make your kids happy but yet you can't always do that and still be a responsible parent...and the kids don't get that and won't until they have kids of their own. Oy.

Walmart also pisses me off. Why is it one week they have plenty of everything I need and the next week they are out of the stuff I buy every freaking week? I think the people who do the ordering need new jobs or something. They used to carry my Kashi Pumpkin Spice Flax bars and then a year and a half ago, they quit carrying them. Oh, they still carried Kashi products, but not those and then some silly woman who worked there told me Kashi was no longer sending them out to this part of the country. Really? Then why can I get them at Martins, Weis and Target? They are in the same TOWN. Oy.

And every few weeks they are out of my Crystal Light Wild Strawberry drink mix. Always that flavor! Shouldn't that maybe tell someone they need to be ordering more? So now today I have to go to a store or twelve to find this stuff and the Kashi bars. And to get the best price, I have to go to different stores. Oy.

/vent...I think.

Today I am working out on my new treadmill. Not sure if i will be running as kickboxing was brutal last night and my legs were still aching from Monday's run.

So what are you all grumpy about today?

And Robyn, thanks for the pep talk. I appreciate it. I don't think I have completely lost my touch either, though there was a time when I would have thought exactly that, but not anymore. I do find it funny that at 300+ pounds, I was always cast and that now that I am close to normal, it didn't happen. Amuses me greatly!

Life and Auditions are a Process

2010-02-23T15:58:00Z

So I got the call a few minutes ago that I was not cast in "Steel Magnolias". Again, it is all good; I don't have to rearrange my schedule to make it happen, but now that the decisions have been made, I have to state a few things I observed.

When asked on my audition page what parts I was interested in, I put "any" because there are no bad parts in the show. I also assumed automatically that I am too old now to play Shelby or Annelle. My best bets, given that there were older women there auditioning for the parts of older women, were Truvey or M'Lynn. He did not read me for M'Lynn at all and this bothered me somewhat. I can pretty much guarantee who he did cast in that role from my one hour in auditions (and he still had another day of auditions to do) and the fact that I figured that out, bothers me too.

There was also another woman there (and this has nothing to do with auditions as a technical aspect) who I am sure he cast, and is a regular with the theater company, both on stage and as a director, who made me crazy. She was just a bit over the top in my opinion. After reading a scene with her and several other people, where she played the part of M'lynn after her daughter's funeral (so emotional scene in the event any of you live under a rock and have not seen the movie) she held out her "trembling" hand and said "I'm still shaking." Okay, maybe she really felt the scene that deeply even with no lead in to it, but seriously? Then she says to me "OMG, I am so glad I did not wear my earrings as they are the same as yours!" Again, seriously? It isn't like we were wearing the same OUTFIT...mine matched. Yeah, yeah, MEOW. But it's true.

So, no, I am not being a bad loser. These are just a few things that bothered me about the experience. The people I auditioned with were very good, save one, so I'm sure it was a hard decision. I don't know this director and how he works, and though he disappointed me in my own personal audition process, he may be very good. I have also been quite spoiled by getting to work with some great directors in my community theater career, who knew me well and knew my capabilities. This person did not, and my audition was probably rusty after a seven year absence. So, the best of luck to the cast and as for me, I will continue on in my happy little full life.

Jimnotmike, low carb Lent is going okay. Not perfect, but okay. I have made definite progress with a few slip ups...deliberate as they were. Italian meal out...hot bread. A downfall of mine. Serve me cold bread and I won't touch it. Warm and fresh and I am a goner! But I am plugging along. Evenings are really hard for me as I like to nibble while watching TV. Sometimes it is cucumber and the occasional SF jello, but sometimes neither thing gets it for me. Suggestions?

Tonight is kickboxing and I am still feeling a little bit fatigued from the blood giving of yesterday. Hopefully it will pass soon and I keep sucking down water to remedy it. Just still feeling like I could sleep.

Is there a new Biggest Loser tonight?

Running and Blood

2010-02-23T00:26:00Z

Do I have your attention with that title? HA! No bleeding from running so don't worry. I did run 1.25 miles again today and the blood comes in as I went to donate it right after my workout, so it has left me exhausted tonight. But I knew I had to get the workout in before the blood donation.

This weekend was a whirlwind for the most part. Saturday, The Brit went to look at cars as his was dying a slow and painful death. He would up buying a four door Tacoma Truck; way nice. Then we headed to WV for auditions and treadmill.

Auditions went okay, but I don't think I will be cast and I am good with that. He read me for two parts, but the bigger problem (only a problem for me really) is that there were actually older women there to play the parts of older women. Anyway, tonight were callbacks and I did not get one. Maybe he loved me and wants me for Truvey, but personally, I doubt it. But it's all good. I was not 100% committed in my head and heart anyway. Though getting back to some theater would be great, there was still the time thing. Yeah, I could make the time for rehearsals and will if I am cast, but if not cast, then I don't have to make the time. Again, all good. Maybe Someone is telling me that now is not the time for me to re-emerge into the theater scene.

We got the treadmill and I am thrilled to bits over having it here. I am still a gym rat, but this is going to make days the kids are off school so much easier for me, or days when there is just a time issue due to appointments or whatever. I never have to miss a scheduled workout again and it makes me happy as a clam.

We had dinner with Kelly on Saturday night after auditions and treadmill which is always a good time and then we got to go meet Lola, her newest canine family member and the kids and Brit got to meet all her other animals that I had already met. Lola is a love. I adore her.

Sunday, it was clean up the dining room to position the treadmill and for The Brit is was clean out the old car so we could return it to the dealer. Then my mother, aunt and uncle came over for dinner which was very nice.

Happy birthday today to my sister, Vicki. Not a clue how old she is, but it isn't polite to say anyway. Hope she had a great day!

Okay, back to vegging out on the sofa. I am actually ready to sleep but doing so would have me up at like five and I so don't want that!

1.25

2010-02-20T02:53:00Z

That is how far I ran on the treadmill today. I kick ass. I was very excited. My goal was a mile, which is what I did yesterday, so today when I hit the mile, though tired, I knew I could push it a little bit further and I did.

Honestly, running is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. Honestly, nothing has made me feel more strong physically. Finishing a run, even my little bitty runs so far, makes me just feel incredible and like anything is possible. It brings me a sense of fulfillment. I can't even explain it. It is so hard to do...it's mind over body, but it is amazing. I started out running for 30 second increments and then recovering for like 5 minutes and thought I was dying. Now today I ran 1.25 miles. It has taken me a long time to get there and I have had many interruptions. Life gets in the way of this kind of stuff sometimes...things you need to build up to can be interrupted and that interruption sets you back from the schedule you had planned. But life, and running is a marathon. You just keep working and in the end you get there.

I get my treadmill tomorrow. So excited. This will help me stay on target with training. When I can't get to the gym, I can still run here...or outside when the weather warms up and some of this wretched snow melts. But I feel better prepared now to keep focused and to stay on target. I want to run a marathon one day, even a small one. I want the experience.

Tomorrow is also auditions for Steel Magnolias and I'm nervous. I was looking through my script tonight and remembering just how funny this show is and how much I enjoyed it the first time. Just let my newfound confidence shine through tomorrow in a good way. I would love to be cast, will be mildly disappointed if I'm not, but not crushed. My life is full now and if cast, I will be adding something else to it, which is good but not imperative, if that makes any sense.

My mother is insistent that I don't have time to do a show because she worries about me overdoing it now. I don't quite get that. I don't see my life as overly busy for a married person, working a part time job, who has kids. Aren't all moms busy? I work four hours a day, five days a week. I go to the gym at least 4 days a week for about an hour. I periodically have appointment for me or the kids. I have praise band one night a week. I keep up the house and cook dinner and the slow cooker is my friend. I don't see this as being so busy anyone has a cause to be worried.

Life is for living and I plan on wringing every last drop of life from what I am given before I leave this world.

Now, I have to go visit some Thursday 13 bloggers. They gave me some love yesterday and that rocks.

Happy weekend!

Thursday Thirteen

2010-02-18T15:37:00Z

I am going to try this Thursday Thirteen thing because one day a week, I would love to find some mindless blogging.

But first, in order to thank him and make his day with a blog mention, Jimnotmike has been very supportive in my low carb adventures. Check out some of his comments with low carb suggestions. Yesterdays was for pizza, which is a favorite treat of mine that I bypassed yesterday.

So, for my first Thursday Thirteen, I am going to do thirteen things I think are the bee's knees about losing weight.

Stairs. I can run up and down them without any problems. The only problem I ever have is the day after kickboxing when my knees are killing me and that is only an issue if I am not wearing shoes at home.
Shopping off most racks. Though I am still a size 18, I can generally find those and no longer have to set foot in Lane Bryant and Fashion Bug. Actually, I prefer shopping off the racks at Goodwill!
Becoming in tune with my body. This is a constant learning experience. I am learning that it can do things I never imagined it would. Even a year ago, I could not have imagined myself running, yet now I do. Okay, it is slow and not yet far, but still RUNNING! ME!
Hair. I no longer have to hide behind it. It is now shorter than it has been, oh, probably since birth, and I adore it. No frills, no work. I have way more important things to do than to mess with a high maintenance hair style.
Breathing. Huffing and puffing is no more.
A new love of things like cucumber and apples and soup. Never cared for any of it much before, but now they are staples of my week.
Confidence. I always thought I was a confident person, but apparently I wasn't because I certainly am now. I don't care so much what other people think. They can like me or hate me and if they hate me, it is not my issue. It takes way more energy to hate someone than it does to be hated.
A newfound sense of adventure. There is very little I will not try now. With weight came fear about failing at many things, either due to fitness or just to being too heavy to do it. Not anymore. Now I make lists in my head of things I want to experience.
Being able to look at food in a different way and rarely having to think about it. My eating habits are not perfect. I eat things I shouldn't. But on the flip side, the things that are really bad for me that I used to love, don't much interest me anymore. Often now, things are too sweet or I just don't get the pleasure out of eating them anymore. Sometimes they make me feel sick to eat them. But it's all good as it keeps me in check for the most part.
I now feel rested in the morning and my back does not kill me. At 315 pounds, I often couldn't sleep more than 6 hours without pain. It is so nice to get a good night's sleep.
Exercise and now understanding the benefits of it. Yeah, you heard. I agree there are definite benefits to exercise and now I even get bitchy if I have to go a few days without it.
The Great Outdoors. I love being outside now whenever weather allows. Walking, biking, running. I want to give hiking a try one day. Yeah, I still hate the cold, but providing it is not unbearable, let me out to exercise or do yard work.
Feeling at home in my own body. This is a huge one for me. I no longer feel like my body is some alien that has been surgically attached to me. I am discovering that it can do great things and I am comfortable while it is doing those things. I no longer long for invisibility. It's all good.

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Day One Down; 39 to Go

2010-02-18T01:21:00Z

So day one of low carbing it has gone well, though it had a scary moment. The Brit called me to go to lunch to one of our favorite little Italian places...which meant the pizza temptation. But I opted for salad though I did eat the cheese off the second half slice of his pizza...but no bread. Yay me!

I had an easy day at the gym as last night's kickboxing was crushing. So I ran/walked two miles today, half miles at a time, alternating. Finished off with 50 crunches on the ball while lifting a medicine ball. Would have liked to have ran more today, but my legs were just aching from last night, so I didn't want to push it and risk injury.

So now I have another dilemma. Auditions for "Steel Magnolias" are this weekend and despite the cons to auditioning and possibly getting cast, I am leaning towards auditioning. The cons are of course, time. But the flip side to that is that I hate winter and with the show going up in April, rehearsing it will help see me through to the start of spring. I have done this show once before and it was a wonderful experience and it is on my list of shows I would do again gladly. Of course, I am rusty, having not auditioned for anything in over 7 years. I foresee nerves playing up a bit, but I think I am game to audition. If the talent is amazing and I don't get cast, that's fine. If I do, I will embrace an experience I have not gotten to have in 7 plus years. Theater was once the most major part of my life; I did back to back shows at a theater where a show ran for 8 weeks. This one will only run two weekends and will be a nice revisiting of one of my great loves.

The Lenten 40 Day Carb Challenge

2010-02-16T22:31:00Z

So do you think it is wrong to combine religious beliefs with healthy eating? Ah well, whatever works.

So it starts tomorrow, so there should be rules, I think. Yes? Of course yes.

The carbs I am swearing off until Easter are:

Any and all chip-like material. This includes the demonous (new word. You like?) Chex Mix and the pretzels of Lucifer.

Any and all high sugar snacks. My current demons are: orange slices, peach rings and the occasional York Peppermint Patty.

White bread and white potatoes. I don't do much of these anyway, but still good to put it out there.

What is permissible:

Sugar free desserts, such as the single servings of sugar free jello with lite Cool Whip or any sugar free treat if we go out to dinner. Again, this is something I rarely partake in (the dessert, not the jello) anyway.

Hmmm. Is there anything else or are those my only struggles? I think that is it.

My cat has been eating today! Such a massive relief. But every time one stressful thing calms down, there is another one to take its place. They delayed school today by two hours, so I went in two hours late, which I hate doing. It is actually easier for me to deal with kids when there is no school as there are grandparents willing to help, but two hour delays there are very few remedies for. Now the stupid school board has called for another two hour delay tomorrow! (Icy back roads in the mornings apparently). I do not want to go in late again, because I need to make up the time and 1) if I have to work 11-3 tomorrow, that means no gym and 2) JJ has an eye appointment at 3:00 I need to pick him up for. So, I am considering one of three things:

1) and my least favorite plan is take them to work with me for two hours and then bring them home in time to get to school. Problems here are there is nothing for them to do at my job other than bother me, which means I'd may as well have stayed home anyway for as much as I will get accomplished. Plus it is not very cost or time effective for me to go to work and then turn around and drive back home again and then back to work, all between 8:30-10:00.

2) I leave them here like I do in the summer, and then come home by 10:00 to make sure they get off to school or

3) I leave them here like I do in the summer, and call at 10:00 to get the oldest out the door and call again at 10:20 to get the youngest one out the door.

It is all slightly nerve wracking, but the weather is making it very hard to do my job and get done the things I want and need to accomplish. So we will discuss the plans at dinner tonight after kickboxing and see what the consensus is.

Anyone else giving up anything for Lent?

Busy But All Good

2010-02-16T01:41:00Z

It has been an insanely busy couple of days!

Friday night lock in at the church...always a good time. Much laughter, little sleep, woke up freezing, but there are things to be said for health. Where once spending the night in a large, open space and waking up cold would have had me sick, not anymore. Now, I am all healthy and being sick is a rarity.

Saturday, lunch with Kelly and Robyn and tie dying at Lisa's. Have to tell you...I adore my Kelly. I don't see her enough but it is always great fun and a joy to be in her presence for a day. We seem to agree on most things (either that or she fakes agreement ), have similar passions in life and just generally enjoy life for the most part. So, anyway, by Saturday night, I was exhausted and in need of sleep.

Sunday was church and a potluck and a meeting and a celebration of Paula's 15 years of service with the church. She was very surprised and we had a good time performing a silly little skit that probably only she understood that depicted a typical rehearsal for the praise band. Sunday night was a group dinner at the Indian restaurant with Robyn, Tod, Lisa, Phil, Emily, Dave, Kelly, Deanna, The Brit and myself. I polished off a bottle of wine single handedly and was offering Dave's birthday cake to all the servers including the one we called "Skinny kid", which is what I yelled to get his attention. Good times.

Today, work, then off to Frederick for lunch and shopping with Tod and Kelly. Again, great fun. Our final stop was the running store as Tod was finally convinced to bite the bullet and invest in for real running shoes. While he was fitted, Kelly and I wandered around and I bought a t shirt, key chain and decal for my car that says "runner girl". Kelly, on the hand, a non-runner, is very amused by things that are novel to her, which is quite funny. For example, toe socks...socks with actual toes, like gloves for the feet. And a under armour type shirt with thumb holes. The shirt had her at thumb holes. Too funny.

I very tentatively state that my cat seems to be a tiny bit better. I have not heard any gagging, and she took a tiny bit of bacon tonight. After a discussion with my real vet and not the other one I was stuck with on Friday, I am feeling cautiously optimistic. She believe that Jasmine has to become acclimated to the medication and now she seems to be starting to move past the nausea. Now we just have to work on her appetite. Her very high thyroid level of 22 to start is down to just above 13 (normal is between one and two) and though she could use a higher dosage, the vet is waiting to see if she will better adjust to the medication. Her other blood work was great...kidney function normal, liver function now normal. So we hold our breaths and keep working with her. I'm going to buy her for real bacon tomorrow (she had bacon bits tonight, so not fresh) and see if she will take more of that. We will also try Pepcid and maybe a mild steroid to try to get her to eat more. Will keep you posted.

No gym today, so kickboxing tomorrow night.

Just Make it Stop!

2010-02-12T01:54:00Z

I swear, I have been on stress overload!

We had yet another freakin' blizzard Tuesday and Wednesday (yes, kickboxing was snowed out!)...another kabillion inches. We shoveled a few times before it was over and about 7:30 last night, my mother called, hysterical.

Her neighbor had called her to tell her it looked like her carport might collapse from the weight of the snow, on her car. So she is a crying mess, unable to go outside because she is 81 and her walks weren't shoveled. So out the four of us went, into the barely plowed roads while it is still snowing to get my mother's car out of her carport. The middle beam was bowed from the snow and though we didn't think it would actually fall, why risk it. So we shoveled the car out (the snow plow had the car blocked in), moved the car, shoveled her walks and calmed her down before going back home.

Now I have a cat I am worried about. Jasmine is about 11 years old, so that is about 66 in cat years. She had recently lost a lot of weight and in taking her to the vet we found out she had hypothyroid. The vet put her on meds which she has been on almost two weeks. When the vet saw her, she said Jasmine had a heart murmur that day, which may be caused by the thyroid problem and would clear up with meds. So though she had not put on any weight yet, she has been feeling pretty good; always playful, jumping up all over the place etc. Last night she got a bit pukey, which turned into dry heaving and only producing some spit. Today she has had a bit of that still but not as much, but I have not seen her eat anything. Of course, a symptom of heart problems in cats is gagging. But her gums are pink (good sign) and she is still a purr baby. I'm hoping she just has an upset stomach and it is starting to clear up. I may pick up a few cans of the forbidden wet food tomorrow just to try to get her to eat and to put some weight on her. We'll see how it goes.

I did finally get to the gym today and guess what? I RAN A MILE AND A HALF! Okay, in all honesty, I ran the mile by itself, walked for ten and then ran another half mile, but I'll take it. And though I will deny it if you ask me....I kind of enjoyed it. Kind of. Not totally committing to the enjoying of it yet, but that emotion was definitely somewhat present today.

I also ~~stole this~~ found a great quote today. It says "Everyday, in some way, I am kicking ass." I kinda like that too.

Tomorrow I am back to work, and then sleeping at the church tomorrow night with the youth in order to make sandwiches and dip up soup. So right now, I have a pot of chili on the stove, a pot of soup on the side to finish tomorrow, and brownies cooling for the lock in. Tomorrow, I have to pick up ham and get a workout in after work. Always so much to do!

Just let my cat be ok...

Enough, I Say!

2010-02-09T16:40:00Z

So after twenty plus inches of snow over the weekend, we are now in Winter Fury 2010 Part Deuce....though Part Deuce can sit on it and rotate as far as I am concerned. I am so over this. Maybe it is time to move to a warmer climate because I am convinced someone picked up our house in the last few weeks and plopped it down in the middle of Bloodyhellitiscoldville. Not to fond of the place myself.

So I got in a sort of workout last night, but my stability ball has lost serious air, so I need to blow that back up today. But I did reverse crunches, some arm work with my five pound wimp weights (the only ones I have) and some planks. I think my goal for this summer during my yardsaling is to find some smaller gym equipment for home, like eight or ten pound weights, or a medicine ball would be divine. That way when the gym is not possible, at least I am prepared to git er done at home.

I am praying for kickboxing tonight but it is iffy as it is not even noon yet and we have a wintery mix going on outside. I have to go to Walmart shortly too and I am hoping that since the winter weather has started all the scaredy cats have run for cover and the store will not be busy. Wishful thinking. Then it is to mom's to pick up the kids. I'm thinking I might be working from home tomorrow. Just depends on how much crap we get.

So next week starts Lent and though I rarely give up anything for Lent (it's just not a practice I have ever much followed), I think this year I am going to. I really need to get my carbs under control so I can one day get to that much coveted 199 on my scale (I swear if I ever see that number, you will hear me scream from here to California. I have been hanging out at 207 for MONTHS!). So for Lent, no more pointless carbs, which is defined by the following items: pretzels, chex mix, any kid of sweet, even sugar free. My snacking is limited to fruits and veggies and the like. They are still carbs, but not pointless. So beginning next Wednesday, I am throwing down the gauntlet. Enough to the carbs and the snow! I am determined to at least come out standing in one of those two areas and I have no control over the snow, other than moving to a warmer climate, which is not in the foreseeable future.

I am going off the assumption that my children will not be in school the rest of the week, which kind of sucks, so I need to try to find some gym time. I just cannot go an entire week with nothing but some floor work. It makes me cranky. I need to work up a good sweat with some good cardio.

So what do you guys do when the weather situation or some other problem keeps you from your normal workout? If you usually walk and there is a buttload of snow on the ground, what is your alternative? Give me your suggestions.