One Small Step

This is my blog but I want to share a success of a total stranger, Ruth. Ruth is at the gym every morning. She usually walks the perimeter of the gym with the help of crutches. Ruth is a heavy woman and you can see the difficulty she has walking. The pain hasn't stopped her from morning walks.

I was on the elliptical doing my own workout and Ruth walked by me. I said good morning and asked how she was doing today. She said her legs were really sore but she was going to finish her walk. I noticed she didn't have her crutches! After watching her walk all these weeks I was so proud of Ruth. I asked if she would like me to finish the walk with her, she said yes. We made small talk and she later thanked me for the distraction.

Ruth is 43 yrs old, had two knee replacements, on medication, suffering with arthritis and not giving up. I got back the elliptical, said a prayer for Ruth and said thanks for my good health. I'm not sure what the cosmic message is but the accomplishment Ruth made today has left me feeling so greatful....maybe that's it.

Enjoy the day!

I Did It!

Go me! This past week I met my goal of doing fasted cardio every day! I did it! It's nice to not feel like you are going to heave your breakfast. I was surprised at high light and energetic I felt without eating breakfast, add that to the new tunes I loaded on my Ipod and I was flying through my cardio. I'm loving "Poker Face" by Lady Gaga and Gorilla Zoe....go ahead make fun of me. Gorilla Zoe's voice is smoooooth. LOL

Yesterday, I really worked my legs. I concentrated on my hams and glutes. I woke up last night wondering why the back of my legs ached. I would of crawled out of bed to hunt for Tylenol but laziness won out and I fell back to sleep. Today I'm doing an easy run on the treadmill in the basement. It's Father's Day and a take it easy day. My diet has been really good. I'm going to coninue with the no processed carbs of any kind for one more week. I feel like I can really make my goal by my birthday!

Happy Father's Day, enjoy the day!

Plan For The Week

It was a busy weekend and I was able to stick with my menu and exercise routine. I've got a packed schedule with only six weeks left with my trainer. I'll be on my own after the sessions. Here's what my week looks like:

Monday: AM cardio, FBWO w/ trainer and evening walking meetup at track
Tuesday: AM cardio
Wednesday: AM cardio, FWBWO w/ trainer
Thursday: AM cardio and evening walking meetup at track
Friday: AM Cardio, Body Flow Calls
Saturday: Cardio, Body Pump Class
Sunday: Cardio

I did cardio everyday last week and it's my goal for this week, too. I going to continue with keeping the processed carbs out of my diet. It was hard to do this weekend but I was able to keep them to a minimum.

I'm taking progress pics today!

Enjoy the day!

98 Days To Go!

Well, I've accepted the fact I won't have a perfectly tanned looking body. My sunburn has started to peel. The tan lines left by my swimsuit add even less to enhance the look of summer. I've been doing cardio inside and staying away from the pool. Monday I did a full body circuit session with my trainer. I'm hoping to repeat the same routine on Thursday. It was difficult but I felt like I accomplished something. Also, I added some stuff to shake up my diet for the next few weeks. I'm excited about it. I'm cutting out breads and pastas for the week. I've been slowly cutting back on coffee. I'm down to two cups in the morning and will keep it there. I've been drinking no diet anything, just water, protein shakes and iced teas. I like experimenting!

Oh and I talked to a friend last night. She was talking to me about nutrition and getting a trainer. We walked at the park and talked. Can you tell how excited I am for her?!

Enjoy the day!

“Live in the sunshine..."

swim the sea, drink the wild air…” Ralph Waldo Emerson

Old Ralph forgot to mention to make sure you wear sunscreen. I could kick myself after forgetting to put sunscreen on and then doing laps in the pool. My back, shoulders and arms are red...I look like I'm beyond baked. I think I got sun roastitis (that is a medical condition, right?). I've had pieces of flesh melon balled (another medical terminology) out of back, skin cancer. I'm a mother to seven and my summer chant is "Put your sunscreen on". I'm sore from the sunburn. I'm sore from doing laps. My trainer worked with me today. Yep, I did an upper body workout. I don't think I'll be able to raise my arms to wash my hair. I had a woman at the gym staring at me. I'm not sure if she couldn't believe the severity of my sunburn or was appalled I was wearing the same workout clothes. I wanted to say to her "Yep, I shop Walmart, too. If you don't tell, I won't tell anybody that's where we got our workout clothes".

Enjoy the day! Just make sure you wear sun screen.

Tag! I'm It!

Well, my sewing buddy tagged me. I'm suppose to tag people back but none of my imaginery friends ever answer my emails, I thought I'd play anyways. Here are 10 random facts about me:



1. I'm a stay at home mom to seven children. When I was growing up I never dreamed of having children...not even one.

2. I like to cook. I enjoy trying new recipes. When I got married I wanted a house without a kitchen! Seriously, I hated cooking and thought we would be eating out.

3. I taught myself to sew and then I took sewing lessons. The first serger class I attended I loved to challenge the teacher. I later taught beginning sewing classes at the store.

4. I love to sing. I can't sing. My children beg me not to sing. It doesn't stop me.

5. I love Dorritos but they make me sick. It doesn't stop me from eating them, getting sick and swearing never to eat them again.

6. I have three dogs. My big old dopey lab/shep mix is my favorite. I think it's hysterical she thinks she's a lap dog.

7. I almost refused moving to GA when Hubby was offered a position here. Now, I will never leave GA. It's more of a home to me than the place I grew up.

8. I have taught my children to say "Mom is 32 yrs old with 10 yrs experience" when asked about my age.

9. I love to nap. There's many days I take a nap with my little guy.

10. I love sarcasm. I think a moronic question can only be answered with sarcasm.

Enjoy the day!

Memorial Weekend

Ok, Memorial Weekend is suppose to be time off. I'm working this weekend. I have two custom orders I need to get out on Tuesday. Lucky, I love sewing and don't think of it as work.

I did an UBWO this morning. It went quite well. I can start to see the muscle definition. I like seeing each muscle separately. My back and shoulders are really sore. I'm thinking of using my gift card for a message. Hubby gave it to me for Mother's Day. I did only 30 minutes of cardio today and I'm thinking of going for a run with the doggy after dinner. Tomorrow is an active rest day...cleaning house. The bathrooms are giving me nightmares!

Enjoy the weekend!

Ready For Summer

I ended this week on a happy note. I stuck with my plan and lost and additional 2 lbs since Wednesday! That really pumps me up. I had a lot of energy for my workout this morning. Friday was suppose to be a lifting day but it was cardio, quick cardio. I ended up taking my little man and going shopping. I stopped at a few fabric shops and headed to the mall. I treated myself to a new handbag and some sleeveless summer tops. The shopping has me all psyched to work on my upper body a little harder, don't need no under arm swing in the sleeveless tops I bought! Always find something to aim for.....Fun!

Enjoy the day!

Unplanned Free Day

I had a long workout at the gym today since I was wiped out yesterday. I thought I was getting sick. I was achey and tired. I had no motivation to do cardio. I went to the gym and pushed to do 20 minutes on the elliptical. I was so exhausted! I took a long nap in the afternoon. Afterwards, I felt like a new person. I decided it would be my free day and went out to dinner with Hubby to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Today, I did cardio and worked with my trainer. I will lift again Friday and will stay on my workout schedule so I don't mess up next week's schedule with this week's unexpected free day. I haven't been doing a bad job! I eat my planned meals, take my vitamins, go to bed by 10 pm and not skip workouts. I deserve a day of pampering, pedi/mani, my hair could use a trim....something new to wear? I'm happy with my progress so far and loving my routine.



Enjoy the day!

Shes Got Legs

....And she knows how to use them. Or I did before my leg workout this morning! Now, I have that song by ZZ Top stuck in my head. I worked my legs so hard this morning. I did HIIT intervals on the treadmill and a lower body work out with my trainer. My legs felt like Jello! I can already feel the ache from the work out, love it! I spent the rest of the day "running" errands. I picked up some fitness magazines while I was at Wally World. I love reading them, it certainly pumps me up and makes me want to work hard. It seems like my goal is such a long ways off. I am up two pounds from last week but measured and lost 5/8 " off my hips....just where I need it! When I see results with the tape measure I believe I will reach my goal!

Enjoy the day!

The Weekend!

If that means anything! It's not like people actually rest, there's still things that have to get done. I went to the gym this morning, over an hour of cardio and did an upper body work out. I'm hoping to get a walk in with my dogs. It's been a few days since they've had some real exercise. I went on an eating binge from Wednesday evening until Thursday. It was chicken strips from the pizzeriea that started it. I was so sick. I was over it by yesterday. It was clean eating and lots and lots of water to get rid of the bloat. I realize I usually drink the bare minimum of 64 0z of water. My mini goal for the next week is to drink the minimum, but push for more. Doesn't that sound easy? I would like to start prepping my meals for next and get in some sewing time today. I want to start work on my project for the sewing challenge It's a restful weekend, right?

Enjoy the day

Energizer Bunny

I felt like the Energizer Bunny today! I kept going and going and going... I woke up, picked up the house, washed, dried and folded a load of laundry before I had to get the children up for school. I got the kids on the bus and went to the gym, HIIT on the treadmill, had an amazing session with my new trainer. I came home to get the children off the bus....it was early release today. When my oldest came home, I headed out the door with my 14 yr old to find her a dress for Friday night's dance. She found her dress at the second store. Also, I made it to the bank and grocery store. I stocked up on eggs, fruits and veggies. My mother would be so proud to see me eating spinach and sweet potato! *GRIN* It was back home to make dinner and walk the doggies. I hope to continue this pace for the rest of the week!

Enjoy the day!

It Was A Walk In The Park

B-e-a-utiful day! Today my work out was a stroll in the park. A gorgeous day! Love it! Sunday's are my active day of rest..housework, playing with the kids, easy bike rides. There are no major hills to climb at the park, perfect to walk with the family. My eating wasn't exactly clean today, but it wasn't to far off. Tomorrow is my first session with the new trainer, an ex body builder. I'm excited!

I am taking part in a sewing challenge at the Himstedt Forum.. The theme of the challenge is tea party, sew an original outfit for a Himstedt and photograph it in a tea party setting. Fun! My inspiration will be from the picture at the bottom. I'm going stash diving tomorrow for the perfect fabrics. I have mentally sewn the dress. Enjoy the day!

Here I Go Again

I can't believe I did it again! I deleted my blog, only to start again. I want to share my adventures in fitness, clean eating, sewing and being a mother to seven.....I'm hoping this keeps my on track and motivated. I want to share my successes! Stay tuned......

Enjoy the day!