Pinterest is a HUGE help for workouts

I love Pinterest- not just the awesome looking foods and crafts- but the tutorials for quick workouts are really impressive. I don't scoff at the pictures of skinny, fit-looking bodies either- they are nothing but fuel for the fire that I've built. I'm determined to finally get my weight down and this change for life is all trial and error.

The one that I tried tonight was a routine that is suggested to do right before a shower. I was thinking- okay- no prob.

Here is it:

50 jumping jacks
5 pushups
20 crunches
20 mountain climbers
30 second plank

Alright, I admit, I was thinking- jumping jacks?? Piece of cake! Yeah, I burned off a portion of the ice cream cake I had today just doing the jumping jacks. All this weight being thrown around gets your heart pumping- and quick! I was out of breath at 30 and 45 is where I felt the burn. 5 more and I was ready for the next.

5 pushups- no problem!

20 crunches- I've learned that having my legs straight up in the air is easier. I just scoot close to a wall and use that as leverage- this gut is feeling it right now. How cool!?

This is not my picture- I found it off Pinterest and it came from About.com.

20 mountain climbers...um-- what?! Yeah, I had to google it..Bootynomics is awesome (check out her clips.) 44 second clip and - okay, I'll shut up...here ya go:

Alright, now that you've watched, there are two variations- I chose the easier on my joints method where it's like you're doing a granny jog in place. Her's is higher intensity but man oh man, I can't wait until I'm able to do that!

Last 30 second plank. I didn't do as bad as I thought I would have. Granted I'm no where near perfect form- that's okay though. I tightened my core and tried my best.

Whew- done. Shower time!

Hugs,

A.

Weight Loss Update

Today is the first day I've noticed a difference in my waist. It's taken 2-3 months before I can say that. I've noticed little changes here and there but today I'm seeing a little of the old me peek through. And I'm loving it.

Loving. It.

It's making me that more motivated. Plus, I've got some awesome support behind me at work. Yes. WORK. Coworkers are supporting me. I never would have thought.

All that I'm doing is:

Cutting out a lot of carbs. I still snack every now and then- basically when I want some. My body tells me every week and a half to two weeks that it's time for some fat. So I have a little.

Fage Greek Yogurt with Honey is a dessert for me. It's creamy and the honey adds the sweetness.

I eat a lot of veggies. Frozen steamer bags are a friend. I pack one bag with a piece of chicken and I"m fine.

Green Tea makes me feel good. I can't explain it. But it honestly works.

Two servings of fruit a day. I try really hard to do this. Sometimes I'm actually too full.

Side note: I pack my breakfast and lunch at night. Grab and go in the am- no reason to stop off at McD's anymore. Less stress too. Pack a few various tea bags in your lunch box and you're good to go.

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My workout routine:

I'm still doing 30 minutes on the treadmill. I've been slowly incorporating jogging.

If all you can do is start out with 10 seconds then do it. And keep doing it. Increase your time. Stick with it and don't try to be hero like I did. Shin Splints held me back for 3 weeks- easy!

Jogging is finally getting easier for me. I don't dread it and it's not hurting. But I had to break through that tough period and just keep working at it. 1 minute 15 seconds is my best time right now. I'm proud of it. Others may scoff but that's okay. They're entitled to their opinion. But this is my body and my routine.

Last thing. Something I've come to the realization all by myself- You will only do what you really really want to. I started gaining this weight and peaked at what I am now for the past 8 years. Family members giving diet books and me pining over wanting to look better has only started to be changed because I am finally making it a priority. Diet pills or crash diets aren't going to work. I've come to the realization that I need to make this change now and I'll have to work at it for the rest of my life. I'm ready for it. Bring it on.

Hugs,

A.

My Thanksgiving Wish to Everyone...

Family has visited and gone and the house is now quiet. Bellies are full- even Madeline got a taste of whipped cream (she loves it, by the way.) I was sitting in the living room reflecting when everything that I was thinking was meant for everyone, not just the people I spent today with.

This Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for family and friends and for feeling love, comfort and warmth.

What I'm really thankful for though is for seeing the holiday spirit live on. For every news story of crime, abuse or neglect there are stories of hope and happiness and a sense of community. It warms my soul to see good being done. This good, not being performed for the recognition but purely from the point that it feels good and people want to do it.

My temper isn't the best. But despite all that can trigger some outrage, there is so much that makes me think of how blessed I am for all that I have. Not materialistically but emotionally and spiritually. I have a family, that despite typical family stuff, can come together quite well. The Matriarch is tiny but fierce. She's the glue that holds this family together. She ensures that the miles between all of us doesn't equate to a distance with our relationships.

I have a father that is such a hard worker. He's got the best sense of humor that I know. He's warm, caring and such an amazing listener. Even after a physically tiring day, if I'm not doing so well, he's there. He's gotten really good about being able to listen and help me rationalize things. Even though I'm 28, I still need my Daddy to help me understand that the world may not be pretty but there are still beautiful aspects of life, you just have to be open to seeing them.

Then there is my best friend, "K". K has managed to put up with my idiosyncrasies for 10 years now. For one individual, I couldn't have asked for anything more. The support and love are unwavering. The ups and downs have been there but to weather all that has happened is amazing. I can say so much more but I'll keep it short and sweet.

Last, but definitely not least, there are my friends. All have an uncanny ability to know when I'm just being quiet and know that it doesn't mean I'm moody. Who know that sometimes a hug is all I need, and sometimes, it's just the ability to listen. Give what you get, right? Well, I've got some awesome, loving friends.

Well, goodnight all. Happy Thanksgiving. May you be with those that you love. May you feel warmth, not just physically but spiritually.

Hugs,

A.

Chistmas Ornament Wreath- DIY

I'm really loving Pinterest lately. Where my creativity ends, it picks up the scraps and makes something amazing.

Matt & Becky have a really cute post on their blog for an Ornament Wreath. They used more colors and her rules are spot on. Follow them. I didn't and tried to do my own. I regret not using the larger ornaments. It would have gone so much faster. Really. Seriously- follow them.

Items needed:

Wreath form (I used molded plastic- available at Michael's)
Ornaments (I used plastic ones from Dollar Tree- I spent about $8 or $9 total for the tubes)
Wire Ribbon
Glue Gun

I decided to limit my wreath to 3 colors: Red, Gold and Silver. I'm happy I did, it will allow all of the colors around the house to blend smoothly. I can't wait to hang it up on December 1st!

And here is the finished product...I like it!

This was worth making to me. I spent a lot less than the local SoHo would charge (they like to put $70 price tags and I'm not crazy about any of 'em really) and it's light. Not bulky where I have to worry about the ribbon not holding it.

Hugs,
A.

UPDATE: 12/05/12

Lesson to self: when showing off a picture of something make sure that the picture on your blog is perfect. Empty spots poking through aren't cute. At. All.

Here is an updated picture:

so much better! whew...

Decorating for Fall- Family Initial

I've seen blogs where people do their family letter and decorate it, etc. etc. Well, I wanted in!!

SoHo is right here in town and this was the biggest letter they had and I was do determined to get it done so I bought it. Add some Dollar Tree garland and a hot glue gun, a picture hanger along with pure stubbornness and a little bit of time, and I succeeded.

If you are  unable to find leaves by themselves with no plastic spines, just do what I did, peel 'em off! It was mind numbing but for about a 14"-15" it took about 2 5' strings of garland so that I could keep covering it.



Start with this.



Do this.



End up with this.

Once you have a bunch of leaves, start layering. I started out by just doing one layer inside the lines. Then I did started working the edges. Keep layering! Don't stop. You'll know when you're done. I just did a fluffy edge to the "P".

I started the first layer like this.

Then worked around the edge.



It will look like this once the edges are done. Fill in those empty spots with more leaves.



Make it interesting with 'fluffy' ones.

Final step is to nail on the picture hanger on the back. A package at WalMart cost me $0.97. No complaints here.



And I'm done and it's up on the wall. It adds a touch of Fall without it looking like it's more Thanksgiving than Halloween.

All in all, I'd say this cost me $6.00. And the best part? I can use it again next year. 

Hope this finds you well,

Hugs,

A.

KT Tape Update- Shin Splints- Toe Tussle

The KT Tape seems to help. It doesn't make the pain go away completely for me. Then again, I may not have put it on with the right amount of tension Friday. It's hard to say. But, the bright side, I was able to jog, not run, for 30 seconds without sharp stabbing pain. I felt a dull pain though. Again, not sure if this is because of not putting it on correctly or what.

Today, however, I put the KT tape on around 12 and wore it for a few hours before working out at 4pm. I was walking at a pretty good clip without any noticeable pain. Which was nice. I was walking pretty slow last week.

Also, my research to prevent shin splints has lead me to Women's Health's website. I read an article written by Michelle Andrews who prescribed The Toe Tussle. (When I first read the description I had that blank stare..."what???")

Thank goodness for reading it again...here's a breakdown:

Sit in a chair where your legs are making a 90 degree angle with your thighs. Basically, correct posture. Now, tap your toes slowly. I knew I was doing it right when I felt the muscles on my shin doing the work and not my calf muscles.

Here is a link to the article: Toe Tussle

Can you do a 100?  I can't...yet!

Hugs,

A.

DIY Painting a Pumpkin

Soo...I'm still not done decorating for Fall. In my defense, I'm not spending crazy amounts, I'm just being more creative about it than I may have say 3 years ago...

This week, I ran to Walmart with D. and right when you walk in they had a huge pallet of pumpkins for $4. I've really been wanting one. Bad. So I found one with a firm stem and gave it a new home. :)

Carving isn't the best idea with Madeline (the street-smart cat) on the prowl who sniffs out everything. So I figured painting it would be my best option.

Supplies needed:

Pumpkin
Pen
Small paint brush or two
Paints of your choice (I just use the 50¢ bottles from various craft sections found at many stores)

Note: I tried using a pencil on the pumpkin skin but it wasn't wanting to mark. As you can see in the picture I have pencils and black paint- clearly not what I ended up using. In the background is my plastic container full of paints that I ended up using: Dark Chocolate, Hunter Green and Yellow)

Step one:
With a clean pumpkins, draw what you want on the pumpkin to use as a guide or freestyle- whichever you are comfortable with.

Step two:

Start covering what you just drew or wrote with paint. Easy Peasy- no picture required.

Step three:

Enjoy your decorated pumpkin. I added the vine and flower thingy as an after-thought. It made it seem just a little bit better.

Have a good weekend!

Hugs,

A.