Happy Easter!!

Happy Easter, friends and family. I hope you have a blessed and happy celebration of the resurrection!!

My Meez

You like my new Meez? Not sure I like the background but it's different.

Not So Mad Today

OK, yesterday I was pretty ticked because of what the scale said...but today when I measured myself (I didn't get to do that last night as usual) I found out that what my former aerobics instructor had said...don't go by the scale, go by the way your clothes fit or the way you measure...how smaller your waist is getting. Today I got out the tape measure and looked at what the other numbers said. Well, I've lost like 3 inches off of my waist and almost 3 off of my hips. I'm gradually getting smaller.

Today I went back to the Y for early water aerobics. Tuesdays should be known as swimming with the sadist because it almost killed me. It's deep water aerobics and boy was it interesting and DIFFICULT. We began with these floaty belts around our waist...I thought ok cool...we'll probably tread water and stuff. NO...we started by running from one side of the pool to the other...when you ran out of floor you kept on running...next we did cross country skiing...same thing...we followed that with getting these foam ended barbells and pushed them up and down while we ran down and back...we did a back float kick thing next with the barbell across our chest as we lay on our backs...then it was "sit in a chair" and use only your arms down and back...and now go backwards doing the same thing. Finally as I'm getting more and more tired, we had to swim laps...with these float things holding us back...as fast as we can. I thought I was going to die. I haven't swam laps since I was in college and needless to say I was in so much better shape then.

Maybe I'll go back next week...boy, that was a workout.

OK, Now I'm Mad

This week was dismal as far as weightloss goes. Last week I hit my second goal weight, having lost weight consistently over the last five weeks until this week. Today I weighed myself...no weight loss. I'm mad. I've been working out 5 - 6 days a week...and this week I stepped it up a notch by taking the killer water aerobics class. Maybe I'm gaining muscle which will mean more weight loss but that makes me mad. I knew I'd do this sometime but was hoping it wouldn't happen.

I was a little frustrated at having consistent weightloss and never making it into the top 10...but grrrrr.

I'm going to continue counting calories, watching what I meet and working out, but just know I'm frustrated.

Perhaps I should try Charlene's approach above.

That Kicked My Rear But I'm Going Back

Today I had to go to the Y earlier than my class...but because of that I was able to do something that I've been wanting to do for a while. My aerobics instructor was teaching the arthritis class so I thought I'd be doing my own thing during that time. There is also another water aerobics class at the same time. I've never done this but have thought about it. When I entered the pool area I asked one of the lifeguards if there was class and she said the teacher wasn't there. So, I went to the warm pool and began water jogging and working with weights. Then I heard music next door. My usual aerobics instructor told me to go over and try the class and that Mary would "kill me." OK...I thought I'd try it.

Kim wasn't kidding...we were jogging full force, we were kicking and all sorts of stuff. The class was fun but HARD...we didn't do stomach crunches but we did major cardio. I think I'm going back tomorrow...we'll see. Surely I should lose some weight this week although I have fallen off the wagon twice with some really good foods. So, we'll see.

What Ya Think?

So, I really liked the new Purple Cow look and decided to go onto the website and get a cooler look...it was time for a change. What do you think?

Week Four of the Biggest Loser

Well, we've just finished week four and I'm happy to say I continue to lose weight. Now, I've not lost an exorbitant amount of weight...but I've lost 5% of my body weight thus far. I hope to continue losing weight throughout the entire contest.

Then hopefully by the end of the summer I'll be down to my right weight. We'll see.

Another Snow Day

Today was another snow day for the boys. Well, actually for our oldest and I just kept our youngest at home because I don't like driving on the road to get him to childcare. I'm still not feeling 100% but today helped me to get a little more rest than normal.

I had planned on taking this day anyway as I've been fighting this cold thing for several days. Thanks to the cancellation, we got to sleep in a little bit and this afternoon in the midst of working and the little one taking a nap, I got to snooze too.

This medicine I've started taking this medicine recommended by the pharmacist. Boy that knocks your socks off. I noticed it said nighttime but she said I might be able to take it during the day. Yeah....I don't think so. This afternoon I just took half a dose and was still zonked. Last night it did a number on me...my mind was racing...weird. But at least my nose dried up and my coughing subsided so I could sleep.

Tomorrow back to work...hopefully I'll feel somewhat better...I can't be on this medicine and go anywhere so I hope that it's at least a little better.

BLAH!!

I feel like the crud has finally caught up with me. I thought I was going to "outrun" it, but it doesn't seem so. The end of last week my chest started feeling cough-y then the coughing actually began. I still thought maybe I'd be OK cuz when I get colds usually they go sore throat, runny/stuffy nose, then cough. Now the nose garbage has begun...yippee. Yesterday I got some cough medicine but it's not really cutting it with the nose stuff so back to the drugstore today for nose and cough medicine. Maybe that'll help me get some rest.

Three Weeks and Half a Ton Down

Well, we've finished three weeks of Are You a Bigger Loser Than Marko. Can you believe that the group of 176 (I think that's right) has lost over 1100 pounds? I think that's great. If nothing else we have been motivated to make lifestyle changes that hopefully will stick through the rest of our lives.

So far I have lost 9.3 pounds...I have met my first goal and am on my way to my next goal...provided I don't plateau this next week. I went to aerobics again today...feeling a little rough I think my body's trying to get a cold...so not sure what this week will look like. But I am hoping to keep on keeping on.

Wii Fit

On the Are You a Bigger Loser Than Marko site, Marko posted a comment that there is a new Wii game coming out May 19th. It's called Wii Fit and looks really cool! You can do yoga, practice your balance, do aerobics, play a thing that looks kinda like DDR and other activities to help keep you fit. It'll even track your progress.

I'm wanting it now...what a great addition or alternative to going to the Y!!

If you want to see a video of what all it does, go here.

HT Marko.

Very Rare

There have been a few very brilliant people that I have known throughout my life. In high school there was Kristen and Eric...a brother and sister...he was older she was my age...who were the smartest people I know. Both are doctors now. In college was Lara...I remember that when she took the actuarial exam she scored higher than our calculus professor (a thing our Dr. D really never got over).

When I taught I had a few really smart kids in my classes. There was one kid that was taking Algebra II when he was in 8th grade.

I was blessed with three girls in the youth group I counseled...all three are smart as tacks...one's an economist who did her graduate work at Berkley...the middle is a pediatrician and the youngest is a lawyer. WOW!!

Today's newspaper had the story of a member of our current youth group who scored the only perfect score on his ACT during the fall quarter of his junior year. He's one of the smartest, down to earth kids I've ever known.

Yeah, people like this are rare. It's even rarer to find someone so smart who can actually relate to those around them. He does all of that and is president of our youth group. Way to go!!!!

Week Two - Getting Smaller

I weighed myself today and was pleasantly surprised...I had lost weight. I was so excited. I'm down 4% of my weigh right now. Not too shabby considering I hadn't really worked out this week. I didn't get into the top 10 but wound up submitting my weight a little late...so I don't know if I was left out or not. I was upset a tad because I'm working out and really trying...I mean, come on. But at least it's weight and I'm getting more in shape and healthier. If this keeps up, I could be down to my ideal weight by our youngest's second birthday. How cool is that?!

Maybe I should try the method suggested here.

End of Week Two - Big Numbers Just Aren't There

This is the end of our second week of Biggest Loser and my numbers look like my numbers are going to be small. I didn't get to work out at the gym like I like...only went 3 days instead of 5...but I did work out at home on the days I didn't go with the show Bodies in Motion...so that's something. Three days I was under my calorie count...the others I was over. I feel less out of breath but it's still frustrating to see low numbers.

Matthew McNutt, who was on the Biggest Loser when they did the states (he was the guy from Maine), is a support person, guru for our contest...he told us that the numbers the contestants pull on that show are a little misleading...that their weeks are sometimes 10 days instead of 7. That made me feel better. Plus they work out like 6 hours a day...that I can't do. I don't think I could do it even if I didn't work.

I know muscle weighs more than fat and you need that to burn the fat but it's frustrating to see the same number as last week. Sigh.

Weigh in is tomorrow...we'll see.

What Is Going On?

These past few weeks have been a weird and deadly. What could be so wrong in someone's life that they would think of going into a school and shooting people? Is it our culture? Is it that we are living in a more violent society that almost preaches get even first ask questions later? How do we raise our children to share the love and grace of God especially in times of frustration?

The sixth victim of the shootings at Northern Illinois has died. After the Virginia Tech shootings there was talk about making college campuses more secure...Do we add fences and guards to try to ensure that our college students are safe? What about metal detectors at the door of each building?

When I went to Ohio Northern, I loved the openness of the campus...I can't imagine what that beautiful campus would look like if it were "secured". It would be a sad distraction from the welcoming atmosphere of the community there.

There are no answers...there's no way to ensure that we could tell when someone is going to snap. I guess we just need to pay more attention to those we come in contact with. I just hate that the places that should support community and support have become places where people might be afraid and feel isolated.

Happy Valentines Day!!

Happy Valentines Day! Hope your day went well. Today I got a heart of sugar free candy
from my honey along with a stuffed gorilla. They both were WONDERFUL!!

After school when we got home, our oldest grabbed both gifts and said these are from me, J and daddy. He handed me the candy and gorilla. Our youngest grabbed the heart for our oldest and brought it over to me and handed it to me with a big smile. It was so cute!

Other than the fact that I was gone for dinner tonight and missed it with my guys, this Valentine's Day was pretty good indeed.

And, that sugar free chocolate is pretty good. I was amazed.

Snow Day!! Wierd Exercising Continues

Today we woke up to snow and ice...needless to say school was canceled. I don't like the windy usually extremely slick road to take our youngest to childcare, so I worked at home with both of them. Trying to continue losing weight in this Biggest Loser contest, I have been seeking to find alternatives to the Y when I can't make it there. Today we marched around the living room for about 10 minutes...something my youngest thought was great fun. Then later in the afternoon I did aerobics with Bodies in Motion on Fit TV.

According the my spark website, I burnt over 300 calories today. I just hope it's enough. These past two days have killed me as far as cardio exercises go. Tomorrow I'm hoping to go to water aerobics.

Saturday I have an all day meeting so I'm not sure when I'm going to exercise then. Although I did save the Bodies in Motion show on our DVR. We'll see.

Two Hour Delay Tomorrow

We found out earlier this evening there is a two hour delay tomorrow for our oldest. Yea! we get to sleep in. Wondering if there will be school as I sit in the recliner by the window hearing the ping of the sleet outside. Just hoping we keep power if we get the ice they're calling for. Off to bed in case there is school.

First Weigh In...Losing Weight...YEA!!

Today was our first weigh in...I went to the Y every day last week. I worked out in the exercise room twice and did water aerobics three days. There were times when I tried to find excuses not to go...but now that I've seen results, I'm excited and motivated. I've done the diet as recommended on sparkpeople.com and it's working. I had hoped for some weight but didn't expect as much as I got. And, I've lost some on my waist too! My first mini-goal is in sight...I'm excited!

Gentlemen, Start Your Engines

It seems like so long...but it's finally here...NASCAR has begun again. Last year we had a league of fantasy racing...it was kinda a weird way of figuring the points, etc. This year we're going with Yahoo. Next week begins the fantasy league, so if you're interested in joining us, let me know, there's still time.

I'll be looking for a friend from high school in the pits...he's a jack man...used to work for Scott Riggs.

Boogedy, Boogedy, Boogedy.

Here we go!