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Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Our new countdown

Little Man A is still "dealing" with Daddy being gone. His new way of dealing involves asking about all things Army. The other day he wanted to hear an Army song. So we went to iTunes where we downloaded, "The Army is Rolling Along". Then he wanted to see Army trucks, particularly Army dump trucks. Then he wanted to watch an Army movie. That one, I didn't come through with, because well, let's face it. I'm not sure I could find a child friendly Army movie. He even gave Daddy an assignment for the weekend to take pictures of an Army dump truck, the huge iguanas that Daddy keeps talking about, the house where he lives, and his house phone (which actually happens to be the exact same phone we have here).

The other way we are dealing is with our new way of counting down. As of right now, we are planning on seeing Daddy in April. Whether or not this actually happens all depends on the Army, of course. On New Years Day, I counted out 106 paper strips to put them together to make a chain. Each month is labeled and is a different color just so we know we are on track. Then I marked each chain by 5's. It's a good thing I did this because 3 days went by last week before we pulled off some links.

So far we haven't had any major meltdowns like we did last month. Some days are still better than others, especially if BBZ doesn't wake everyone up at 6:30am! Most days, we get through the daily routine okay. But it's been awesome to see LMA's face every night when he pulls off one more link of the chain. And then when I have to move the chain lower we all get excited knowing that April is getting closer every day.

So let the countdown begin. I just hope the Army doesn't mess this one up or they are going to have one pissed off kid on their hands.

Monday, January 17, 2011

End of Week 2

I'm at the end of week 2 of working out. Unfortunately, I'm not seeing any differences on the scale yet, but I have seen some other changes. For one, I've already started to notice that my jeans are fitting better, especially in my legs. Guess those inner and outer thigh workouts are really paying off. Oh, yea, and all those squats! The other? I'm not dying after a 30 minute workout. Even with Jillian Michaels. I guess it's time to kick it up a notch.

I've consulted a few friends who I know run for a workout. My favorite actually came from a grade school friend who was overweight all the way until the end of high school. In college, she turned to running and now, after having 2 children, she is super woman!

This week I started Week 1 of her plan. An awesome routine to run my 5K by May 1st. Although it doesn't seem like much, to someone who is technically starting off from the couch, it's a lot. For Week 1, I have to run 2 minutes, then walk 4 minutes. I've made sure to make the walk a brisk one to keep my heart rate up. Repeating this 5 times until 30 minutes have passed nearly killed me the other day. Hopefully by the end of week 1, I'll notice a difference.

From Week 2 to week 10, I basically increase the running and decrease the walking by one minute increments. Hopefully, if all goes well, I should be running 30 minutes straight by week 10.

Right now? I'm not seeing it. But I'm determined. And boy will this surprise hubby when I can run along side him while we cruise the Cuban shore in April.

Watch out, dear.



Postscript: I weighed myself this morning and was down 2.5 pounds! And I ran 3 minutes straight!

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Work-Out with On Demand

Did you know that if you have On Demand with your cable company, you can work out at home for FREE?? I LOVE that word! With On Demand Exercise TV, I can do a different 30 minute workout every day for an entire month.

Instead of purchasing several work-out videos that just take up space, you can work out with Jillian Michaels from The Biggest Loser with her 30 Day Shred video. 20 minutes later and I promise you will be begging for mercy. Ok, maybe not mercy, but you'll be sweating.


If you want to take it up a notch, add in Nicole Stewart's 10 min work-out, Leg Slimmer and Toner. 10 minutes doesn't sound like very much, but that one hurt!


So after 30 minutes of working out, what did I learn? Well, next time make sure I'm wearing shorts and a t-shirt, not pj pants and a long sleeve shirt (because it was a pj day after all). And I really should wear a sports bra too considering the amount of jumping jacks and jump rope movements she does in just 20 minutes.

Who needs to go to the gym on the weekends when you can stay home where its nice and warm?

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Tackling the New Year

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Years Eve. I have so much to say yet really don't know where to start. Maybe its the distraction in the back ground, or the lack of sleep from taking care of a sick child, but I do know where I'm headed for 2011 at least.

First, I REALLY need to get back into scrapbooking. I mean, hello. Three years ago I announced on here that I was starting my business Scraps 2 Remember. Since BBZ has been born, I haven't been at the drafting table. So New Years Resolution #1, Back to Scrapbooking.

New Years Resolution #2: Back to Horseback riding. Maybe not right now since I am not a big fan of the cold, but I definitely would like to this spring. I have a couple places in mind that aren't very far away. And I'm sure LMA would LOVE to get up, if not get close, to a horse.

New Years Resolution #3: Yes, I am one of those that makes a new years resolution to lose weight. I've needed to lose weight since BBZ has been born. At first I was saying I was doing enough chasing around two children, but obviously calories burned are not even close to the calories consumed. Last year, after hubby left for Cuba I finally started using the Wii system and the Fit Board to do yoga and of course, make LMA run around the room crazy before bedtime.

But this time, I have a different approach. I have a few things on my side this time around that I hope are going to help me finally shed these pounds. And I would like to do it all before I hopefully see hubby in April (I say, hopefully because you never know with the military but right now we are planning to see him).

My weapons:
A) iPod Touch 4th Generation












Didn't think I would ever want one of these, but since I have been fighting with AT&T for the past 6 months to get an iphone for less than $300, I settled on this. I shouldn't even say settle because this thing is AWESOME! Now I don't even need an iphone. So there, AT&T!

B) A gym membership












I have no had a gym membership since hubby and I lived in Arlington, TX, which was in 2002. Since leaving TX I've used the apartment complex "gym" or nothing at all since we have been here in VA. They gave me an awesome deal with childcare for a one year contract. And if we move when hubby comes home in August? We show them a copy of his orders and we can cancel for free. Until then, after I drop off LMA to school on Monday/Wednesday/Friday, I'll be heading in that general direction for at least an hour. I just might try my moves in a Zumba class, too.

C) And these....











Now these aren't your average sneakers. These? Are running shoes. Cost? $100. I've NEVER spent that much money on a pair of shoes. Ok, once, but they were leather custom riding boots that I still have and will never let go of until they are no good. Although to justify the purchase, I haven't purchase actual sneakers since October 2008.

Why did I do this? Because my last and final weapon for the new year?

D) A goal















Ok, not this one, but it was a good clip art from google. Yes, I am going to run/walk a 5K this spring. I mean, it's only 3.18 miles so I could technically run it all right now, but it would take me close to an hour to complete. And to make sure I do it, I am going to register this month for it. Pre-registration saves a good chunk of change and is a excellent incentive. I mean, I don't want to throw mine, I mean, hubby's money away.

So, now that I've almost completed my first week of training, what do I think? I'm going to be very sore tomorrow .... and the next day ... and the next day. But, I know it's going to be all worth it in the end.

Watch out 2011. I'm coming!