We're currently at Marshall's parents' house for the weekend, the first away from our house since Thanksgiving. So far it is very relaxing (just what I needed). We're going to a Mexican restaurant for dinner. No sangria for me. We'll be home tomorrow afternoon.
It is difficult for me to be idle. I'm always trying to plan something, and right now I feel like I have nothing to plan. This is good practice for me to stop and smell the roses.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Before the Dawn
This week my WW goal has been to exercise more because I know that activity can make gradual changes and have dramatic results. Monday night I did a 50 minute Pilates DVD. Afterwards Marshall was my personal trainer, and I did 25 minutes of strength training. Tuesday and Wednesday mornings I have gone for a walk from 6:00-6:45am. Then I shower, and get ready for work. I'm going out again tomorrow too. I'm going to try to walk every morning Monday through Friday. I like the alone time and being able to just focus on myself. This also means that I need to be going to bed earlier too, which is a plus. I'm really happy. :D
The Scheme Behind the Smile
I'm trying to plump up the production manager at work. The End.
Just kidding. Here's the full story. :)
In January, 16 people at my work started a weight loss contest to see who could lose the most percentage of body weight by April 4th. Each contestant put $25 in the pot, and winner takes all. The production manager is a guy who definitely knows how to exercise and lose weight. It just so happens that this past Monday was his birthday. A week prior I came up with a great scheme!
Sunday night I went to The Cheesecake Factory and chose this tall cheesecake with alternating layers of Reese's peanut butter cups, cheesecake and fudge cake. It was breath-taking to say the least. I took it home and put it in the fridge. Before going to bed I brought out my glass cake stand with the dome top and a small light blue plate that would fit inside.
Monday morning I arrived at work at 7am, well before Chris gets there around 8am, so I could set up my display. He walks into his office and sees this cheesecake on the plate inside the cake display, which had curled ribbon around the handle at the top. Braced against this marvel is a birthday card that everyone had signed the previous Friday.
Did I want Chris to have a good birthday at work? Of course. Did I want to help draw some extra attention his way on his special day? Of course. Did I want to trap him into not being able to resist eating hundreds of calories of cheesecake, knowing that he would probably be going out to dinner that night with his family and have cake and ice cream too? Of course!!! He managed to eat half of it (which was still about 500 calories), and offered the rest to Mario, the evening supervisor who loves any dessert that is brought in. Other than Chris eating it all and complaining the next day that his pants were a little tighter, this was the best result I could get. I consider it a success! *scheming giggle
Just kidding. Here's the full story. :)
In January, 16 people at my work started a weight loss contest to see who could lose the most percentage of body weight by April 4th. Each contestant put $25 in the pot, and winner takes all. The production manager is a guy who definitely knows how to exercise and lose weight. It just so happens that this past Monday was his birthday. A week prior I came up with a great scheme!
Sunday night I went to The Cheesecake Factory and chose this tall cheesecake with alternating layers of Reese's peanut butter cups, cheesecake and fudge cake. It was breath-taking to say the least. I took it home and put it in the fridge. Before going to bed I brought out my glass cake stand with the dome top and a small light blue plate that would fit inside.
Monday morning I arrived at work at 7am, well before Chris gets there around 8am, so I could set up my display. He walks into his office and sees this cheesecake on the plate inside the cake display, which had curled ribbon around the handle at the top. Braced against this marvel is a birthday card that everyone had signed the previous Friday.
Did I want Chris to have a good birthday at work? Of course. Did I want to help draw some extra attention his way on his special day? Of course. Did I want to trap him into not being able to resist eating hundreds of calories of cheesecake, knowing that he would probably be going out to dinner that night with his family and have cake and ice cream too? Of course!!! He managed to eat half of it (which was still about 500 calories), and offered the rest to Mario, the evening supervisor who loves any dessert that is brought in. Other than Chris eating it all and complaining the next day that his pants were a little tighter, this was the best result I could get. I consider it a success! *scheming giggle
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Breakfast--yum yum
Hi. Meet my breakfast! It's a two egg omelete with 1 oz of sliced deli ham with one slice of pesto pepper jack cheese, topped with fresh pico de gallo that I made. It is very filling, and when accompanied by a sliced up green apple, well, my morning always gets off to a good start.Since joining Weight Watchers, I have been focusing on eating small portions of food that are more filling. It's nice to eat a little 2 PointsPlus fiber bar, but you'll be hungry shortly there after. This breakfast has really helped me stay fuller for longer where I only have to bring one snack to work (besides my lunch).
I'm trying new recipes from the WW website; both Marshall and I really like them. Tonight I'm doing a turkey and vegetable chili that is going to last us the rest of the weekend. If you're not in need of a plan like I do with WW, it is still a good habit to discover what foods really make you feel satisfied, which ones taste good but leave you wanting more, and those that do not benefit your body at all. I have no doubt that your body will respond well with your new choices.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Update on 101/1001
Here's how what I've been accomplishing regarding my 101/1001 list.
1. Have donated food to the local food bank for 6 months in a row!
20. I did a baby Zumba class called Cardio Dance Party for 6 weeks straight. I was so close to making it 8 weeks to reach my goal. I stopped because I tried out the 1 hour class right before it called Camp24, which is cardio and strength training. I'm burning calories and toning my muscles, which is better for my body than just cardio. The Cardio Dance Party class has gotten really popular; there seems to be little room in there now. I did really well while I was doing it. It was a challenage; it kicked my butt and I liked it. I will consider this task accomplished when I can do both a Camp24 and Cardio Dance Party class back to back on Monday nights. Sound like a good compromise?
22. Holy smokes! I couldn't believe it. I did a mile on the eliptical Sunday morning at the gym in 6:55! My goal was to reach 7:30, this was really impressive to me. Now let me see myself do it on the treadmill. :)
40. I found a delicious recipe called Antipasti Chicken that involves artichokes. I've also included them on pizza and in quiche. Marshall loves them all!
42. I've lowered my BMI by 1.9 points since December 17th! I've accomplished this by eatting better, exercising and doing Weight Watchers. By mid-April I hope to have it down a total of 4.3 points.
50. I'm planning a trip for my husband, sister, nephew and myself (Matt may or may not be able to make it) to go to my parents' house in Salem, Oregon in mid-August. Going in November and around the holidays would just be insane financially and with being able to leave work. While we are at our parents' house, Mom is going to cook a Thanksgiving meal (her favorite to do). When this happens, I'm marking this task as complete!
97. I changed this one to "Participate in a 5K." I'm thinking of doing the Couch to 5K challenage and be ready for Austin's Bun Run on May 1st.
1. Have donated food to the local food bank for 6 months in a row!
20. I did a baby Zumba class called Cardio Dance Party for 6 weeks straight. I was so close to making it 8 weeks to reach my goal. I stopped because I tried out the 1 hour class right before it called Camp24, which is cardio and strength training. I'm burning calories and toning my muscles, which is better for my body than just cardio. The Cardio Dance Party class has gotten really popular; there seems to be little room in there now. I did really well while I was doing it. It was a challenage; it kicked my butt and I liked it. I will consider this task accomplished when I can do both a Camp24 and Cardio Dance Party class back to back on Monday nights. Sound like a good compromise?
22. Holy smokes! I couldn't believe it. I did a mile on the eliptical Sunday morning at the gym in 6:55! My goal was to reach 7:30, this was really impressive to me. Now let me see myself do it on the treadmill. :)
40. I found a delicious recipe called Antipasti Chicken that involves artichokes. I've also included them on pizza and in quiche. Marshall loves them all!
42. I've lowered my BMI by 1.9 points since December 17th! I've accomplished this by eatting better, exercising and doing Weight Watchers. By mid-April I hope to have it down a total of 4.3 points.
50. I'm planning a trip for my husband, sister, nephew and myself (Matt may or may not be able to make it) to go to my parents' house in Salem, Oregon in mid-August. Going in November and around the holidays would just be insane financially and with being able to leave work. While we are at our parents' house, Mom is going to cook a Thanksgiving meal (her favorite to do). When this happens, I'm marking this task as complete!
97. I changed this one to "Participate in a 5K." I'm thinking of doing the Couch to 5K challenage and be ready for Austin's Bun Run on May 1st.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Austin and Beyond
I reminded Marshall today as we went for a walk that we've been in Austin now for 1.5 years. We're fairly confident we'll be moving from here in another 8-9 years. Some of the places we're considering and are going to look into are:
*Spokane, Washington
*Colorado
*South Minnesota
*Southern Missouri
*Iowa
*Nebraska
*Coure d'Alene, Idaho
Of course these are just places that we want to look more into over the next few years. We obviously don't need to make a decision any time soon. We just want a town with good schools, that has a low crime rate, beautiful surroundings, potential to grow and jobs for both of us.
*Spokane, Washington
*Colorado
*South Minnesota
*Southern Missouri
*Iowa
*Nebraska
*Coure d'Alene, Idaho
Of course these are just places that we want to look more into over the next few years. We obviously don't need to make a decision any time soon. We just want a town with good schools, that has a low crime rate, beautiful surroundings, potential to grow and jobs for both of us.
Vacation Ideas
We have some vacation ideas that we'd like to see through before we start expanding our family in 2013. Marshall's school schedule gives us limited windows so he doesn't have to miss classes. Here is what's on the table:
2011
*Trip in mid-August to Salem, Oregon to see my parents, youngest sister, Sherri and our nephew Kyan. My brother Matt will make it if he can.
*Trip to the Int'l Balloon Festival in New Mexico during the first weekend in October. We'd travel mostly by train.
2012
*Trip to Washington, DC for at least 4 days.
*Trip to Marshall's family cabin in NW Wyoming.
2013
*Trip for youngest sister Rachael's graduation party.
*Trip for youngest brother Eric's graduation party.
*Trip to northern Europe in June/July to celebrate Marshall's college graduation.
20??
*Trip to North Dakota.
*Alaskan Cruise out of Seattle.
We know a Europe trip would be fairly expensive, and as much as we'd like to go while it would be just the two of us, I'm wondering if it is a good idea to spend all that money as we TTC. I really want to see Denmark; Marshall wants Germany; and we'd like to see Stockholm too.
2013 sounds so far away to be planning trips, but considering that we have two graduations to fly/drive to within a few weeks of each other that year, we really do need to start thinking of some options. We'd like to take a "hurray, Marshall's finally out of school" trip before he would start a full time job (if that's the path he takes). If his business takes off and is earning enough income, well, maybe we wouldn't have to take it right then. *shrug This is what happens when you're a planner by nature.
2011
*Trip in mid-August to Salem, Oregon to see my parents, youngest sister, Sherri and our nephew Kyan. My brother Matt will make it if he can.
*Trip to the Int'l Balloon Festival in New Mexico during the first weekend in October. We'd travel mostly by train.
2012
*Trip to Washington, DC for at least 4 days.
*Trip to Marshall's family cabin in NW Wyoming.
2013
*Trip for youngest sister Rachael's graduation party.
*Trip for youngest brother Eric's graduation party.
*Trip to northern Europe in June/July to celebrate Marshall's college graduation.
20??
*Trip to North Dakota.
*Alaskan Cruise out of Seattle.
We know a Europe trip would be fairly expensive, and as much as we'd like to go while it would be just the two of us, I'm wondering if it is a good idea to spend all that money as we TTC. I really want to see Denmark; Marshall wants Germany; and we'd like to see Stockholm too.
2013 sounds so far away to be planning trips, but considering that we have two graduations to fly/drive to within a few weeks of each other that year, we really do need to start thinking of some options. We'd like to take a "hurray, Marshall's finally out of school" trip before he would start a full time job (if that's the path he takes). If his business takes off and is earning enough income, well, maybe we wouldn't have to take it right then. *shrug This is what happens when you're a planner by nature.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)