01/20/09

As part of my "getting thin" plan I've started drinking protein shakes. My first container of the stuff came in today with the rest of my Shaklee order. So, I got my butt off of the computer and on the elliptical for 30 minutes (at a rather challenging pace/level, I might add) and came home all sweaty to make a protein shake. It tastes much better than the ones my Mom used to give us as kids but it's definitely a taste I need to just get used to.

3 tablespoons of the powder mixed with a glass of milk does the trick! It's only 110 calories and it's supposed to be very filling, like a meal. I hope this helps me. If nothing else, protein is just good for you anyway! Especially when you know that the company you're getting it from is safe and healthy.

I did some of the exercises on my ball this morning too. What I need is a DVD workout thing, not just someone demonstrating how to do the different exercises.

Friendships

I'm a good friend. I don't have a huge circle of friends but the ones I do have, I treat well. I hold them close to my heart, they know they can rely, count on, and trust me; I treat them the way I would want to be treated.

I recently lost a person who I thought was a good friend. By lost, I mean we had a big blowout and now don't want anything to do with each other. We were on the cheer squad and swim team together in high school and shared a few classes every now and then. We were never "best friends" but we had some fun memories together and within the last couple of years got back in touch after she moved out of state.

Long story short, I feel like I was totally wronged. I did so much for this person only to have it all thrown back in my face. Obviously I don't want to be friends with someone who said and did the things she did, but I can't imagine it's ever easy to totally shut someone out of your life when you thought that everything was just "peachy keen", for lack of a better term.

This all came up when I was taking down and changing out some pictures I had of us old (and ex) friends. What happened and what was said was pretty shitty and in a sense, I'm glad it happened. Just a little sad is all.

*sigh*

I love where I live.

There are times when I complain about living in California because it's expensive and if you didn't know what month it was you wouldn't know what season we were in. But then there are times like today where I am just so grateful for living in California, Santa Cruz specifically. The weather has been absolutely gorgeous this week! Today it was 75 all day. It's starting to cool down now but it's still clear and beautiful as can be.

For lunch Ben and I grabbed a couple sandwiches and drove to a really cool spot where we sat on rocks above the water and watched the surf contest that was going on. I really enjoyed it. Any time we do stuff like that is when I truly realize how good we have it.

I hit 32 minutes on the elliptical today and bought an exercise ball and weights at Big 5. We decided to let Lani play with the ball for a while thinking, for some strange reason, that she wouldn't pop it. Yeah, she popped it. So on Ben's way home from taking pictures he's supposed to swing by Big 5 and get me a new one. I'm looking forward to using it.

I also weighed myself today for the first time in months and months. I actually weigh less now than I did the last time, though not by much. I hate getting on the scale. It sucks. Last night tIook out an old pair of jeans that I wore when Ben and I were dating to keep as a constant reminder that I can be that thin again if I just work at it.

January 14, 2009

Whew! Ben and I just got back from a bike ride. I was very proud of myself; I didn't need to stop once and made it up all of the hills! =)

So far, I've only missed exercise on 3 days out of 10. Saturday and Sunday of last weekend we were with family and in Tahoe and yesterday I was just too sick. We've slipped up a little on our eating habits but we are trying. We definitely are doing better now than we have ever been.

Ben has an MRI next week to see what exactly is going on with his back. At best he'll just need cortizone shots and physical therapy. At the worst he'll need back surgery. The Dr. basically said that if he doesn't get surgery now he'll probably end up needing it in his 40's. Wonderful! I'd honestly rather he got the surgery now while he's young, was out of work for a few more months to heal, and then back on the streets. Those cortizone shots are painful- my dad had to have them for his back and still hasn't had surgery.

I have no idea what to do for dinner tonight. If I ever get my rear off of the computer I'll finish my household chores and laundry. Ben doesn't seem too interested in making dinner either...we'll see what happens! LOL

Aries

I was looking at things online to buy for scrapbooking and came across a page of Aries stickers. Here are the words they used to describe people born between March 21st-April 19th:

Outspoken
Assertive
Aggressive
Adventurous
Passionate
Eager
Bold
Daring
Fiery Tempered
Spirited
Competitive
Initiative
Impulsive
Impatient
Energetic
Fearless
Leader
Vivacious
Take-Charge person
Brave

I would say that those words describe me pretty well. Although, I don't consider myself to be fearless or much of a leader. I can be both and have been those things before but I wouldn't say that's how I am for the majority of the time.

Drama, drama, drama.

What an eventful evening last night. I've talked about it so much since then that I am completely drained and not willing to go through it all again. In short, I'm no longer friends with a selfish, immature, evil, inconsiderate, jealous, pathetic excuse of a woman/adult. But one good thing came out of it- I have 2 tickets totaling $430 to go to New Orleans with another couple. The 4 of us are keeping our tickets and going to have an awesome vacation. The next time someone asks me to be in their wedding, I will politely say no and maybe offer to be a flower girl. LOL

ANYWAY. Ben and I went to Northern CA this past weekend to visit with some members of his family. We spent Saturday in Tahoe and had a blast. I hadn't been to the snow since I was probably 3 years old so it was a real treat for me. Now Ben is seriously dying to go snowboarding- I definitely think we'll be heading up that way again before the season's over. I'll give it a shot too but what I really want to do is rent a snow mobile, go sliding down a big hill, and...yeah, that's about it! haha I love the snow! When we got back, his Aunt made a wonderful dinner for everyone and it was really nice being together. Here are some pictures of our day in Tahoe:


We stayed in his Aunt's guest house over the weekend and she had some family photo albums we were able to look through. I love looking at old photos. It was really neat to see old ones of his family and Ben took some pictures of the pictures so that we could have them too. The oldest one we saw was from 1926. Very cool. I believe this was taken in 1959:

Week one: DONE

I hit 30 minutes on the elliptical today! I started out doing 20 min. on Jan. 1st, so week one of healthy eating and working out is completed! Tomorrow is the free day for Ben and I- no work out or healthy foods if we don't want to.

We're heading up north tomorrow morning to visit Ben's Aunt and his cousin's family. It should be a good time! We plan on driving to Tahoe on Saturday to see the snow. I haven't seen the snow since I was very little and Lani has never been- I'm anxious to see what her reaction is. The last time Ben and I went to Tahoe was for our 1 year wedding anniversary, so it has a special place in my heart. I'd like to visit a couple of the same spots we did when we went on that trip.

I also had my interview today- it went pretty well. I'm supposed to hear back from them at the end of next week (once they finish all of their interviews) and set up a time for me to come in for an hour or two to "socialize/play" with the kids. After that they will make their decision and hopefully I'll have a job!

Ahhh! My muscles are twitching! hehe I guess that means I got a good workout.

Lets see, today I need to do another load of laundry and get my outfit ready for my interview tomorrow. Other than that, my day is free. I'll probably read a lot more of my book: Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert.

Last night Ben asked me what I wanted for Valentines Day. I hadn't even thought about it yet but it is just around the corner. I already know what I'm doing for him though.

Is it really all about money?

Thanks for the comment, Jill. I don't know how to write back to you so I'll just thank you here! (haha)

Ben and I decided to go get a second opinion about his leg from his doctor through Kaiser. Turns out that since he's seen another doctor and is now seeing a neurologist, Kaiser won't see him unless he has approval from his employer. How stupid. BUT, a woman Ben works with had similiar issues and finally got a lawyer to stop people from pushing her around. You better believe Ben's doing the same. This is all just so unnecessary and ridiculous.

Okay, I'm done venting.

Yesterday we lifted weights for a good 45 minutes. If I ever get my butt off of the computer I'll get on the eliptical!

I have a job interview!

Finally, I have an interview set up for Thursday. It's for a Preschool Teacher's Assistant position starting at $16/hr. I'm very excited about it. I love working with little kids and this would be ideal.
I just really hope this is what's meant to be.

I should have been a Doctor.

Instead of posting about what I've eaten every day and what I've done to work out, I'm going to just write. I'm even getting bored reading about what I ate and how I exercised. If anything, I'll probably just mention something at the end.

Today Ben went to the neurologist and he too insists that it's his hamstring. He is on light duty for 3 more weeks (as if being on light duty for 2 months for something that isn't even the problem, isn't bad enough) and oh, look! With ibuprofen this time! Talk about frustrating.

Ben asked about having an MRI done and the Dr. said, "no, it wouldn't show anything." Isn't that the point of getting an MRI? It will show if something is wrong? If nothing is wrong, it won't show anything. If there is something wrong, it will. Does this guy think he can tell the future?

Ya know, I understand that they're the doctors, but come on. What's going on with my husband is not hamstring related. Therefore, I want to know with 100% certainty what it IS. I don't want him going back to work and then in a matter of months or years he has a serious back or nerve problem that's worse because it wasn't taken care of early on like it should have been.

Day #6 of no soda, candy, or fast food.

01/04/09

So yesterday evening Ben and I went on a 30 minute bike ride together. I felt really good about myself because the last time we went on a bike ride I didn't make it as far and I didn't really enjoy it. This time we went a longer distance and I wasn't as worn out. I definitely broke a sweat- he didn't. LOL
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Day #4 of no soda, candy, or fast food.

Breakfast: Kashi Honey Puffs cereal w/1% milk
Lunch: Hot dog and grapes w/water
Dinner: Lasagna and salad w/water

Exercise: 30 minute bike ride

Just another day

Today was a nice day. We took it easy and just hung out around the house. We took Lani out to the wooded area by our complex and let her swim in the river...she loved it!! She has such a blast out there. Of course she hated having to come back in and take a bath though.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Day #3 of no soda, candy, or fast food

Breakfast: Honey puffs cereal w/1% milk and 1/4 glass of orange juice (to take my vitamins with).
Lunch: Slightly more than 1/2 of my tuna sandwich, 20 green grapes, and a glass of water.
Dinner: Marinated thin-sliced chicken, spoonful of cranberries, a baked potato w/salt and pepper, and 1/2 glass of 1% milk.

Exercise: Ben and I worked out together today! He pushed me to do 25 minutes on the eliptical. Then I did this exercise he learned in physical therapy that works the love handles. =) I felt like I had a good work out...oh! And my arms ARE sore today.

We're home now....for longer than a week.

Between out of town family visits for the holidays Ben and I feel like we haven't been home at all. Now things have calmed down and he's back to playing his xbox like a maniac (he's addicted to Gears of War) and we've been able to just relax. I have a pork loin roast and veges in the crock pot for dinner, it's raining outside, the house is clean, Ben is on the xbox and Lani is sleeping right next to him. Life is pretty good.

As much as I love the rain, it's a pain in the butt to go out in; we have a trip to the post office to make that I'm not really looking forward to. Other than that I plan on reading, making lunch, and just lounging around with my little family.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Day #2 of No candy, soda, or fast food.

Breakfast: Bowl of Kashi Honey Puffs cereal w/1% milk and 1/2 glass of orange juice.
Lunch: Tuna sandwich on wheat bread, 1/2 pickle, and 1/2 glass of water.
Dinner: 2 slices of boneless pork rib roast, a serving of mashed potatoes, and a bowl of salad.
- The salad is made up of iceberg lettuce, 1 egg (divided), 4 grated baby carrots, red onion, and served with 1 piece of Tuscan Flatbread- parmesan and olive oil flavored.

Exercise: Upper body workout (Ben was nice enough to help me make sure I was doing the right exercises the right way. I hope I have that sore feeling tomorrow!)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Starting of f 2009 the right way

Well, at least the right way for me.

Ben and I have decided to begin eating healthier and exercising, starting today, January 1st, 2009.

I have been unhappy with my weight for some time now (although, according to doctors I'm in a normal weight range) and as many times as I've started dieting and working out, I've stopped. I'm hoping that having my hubby doing it with me will give me enough motivation to stick it out. So, on here I'll be posting what I ate for the day and what I've done for exercise.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Day #1 of no candy, soda, or fast food.

We woke up super late today and didn't have breakfast. (I know, that needs to change).
Lunch: Tuna sandwich, a pickle, and a glass of water.
Dinner: Thin sliced chicken breast (marinated), mashed potatoes, and green beans.

Exercise: 20 minutes on the eliptical machine, 3 sets of 10 reps of weights for my biceps (I don't know how much each weight weighs though; I didn't see anything that specified the weight).
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

It's not much but it's a start but ya gotta start somewhere. My goal is to lose 15 pounds and I have until May before our first trip; we're going to FL for my friend's wedding!