Steven and I took yesterday off from p90x. We ate like utter crap, we were lazy and we didn't work out. We had a somewhat good reason (although really, there is no good reason for eating like crap) because his parents and niece were in town visiting. I had to make a birthday cake for his mom and of course pizza was ordered. It was wonderful to see them and for them to see Emberlyn.
So what rockstars? I mean... didn't we fail? NO WAY! We took a day off. Guess what? It happens. We aren't dieting. We aren't doing a fly by night program that we take lightly. We are CHANGING OUR LIVES. You know what we did? We slept a little today, we relaxed and then we got right back up and busted our butts on the workout of the day. That is why we are rockstars! Because we didn't say "f*ck it", we said "wow, I miss the high of p90x".
I just got done with Ab Ripper X. Otherwise known in my mind as ab hell. Let me tell you something. On day one, I hated this workout. I couldn't do it. My abs are so weak from being pregnant and then not doing anything, I almost cried at how much I sucked at this one. But I've kept with it. Today I made it through every single move! Did I complete each one with all 25 reps? Nope, but I did at least 15, which is 15 more than I could do most of them 10 days ago. Do you hear me???? It's WORKING!!!! I am busting my butt every single freaking day and it's working!
I've seen the change in Steven. His stomach is already decreasing. His muscles are getting their awesome definition back. He's sees it in me too. My stomach has already decreased by an inch. In 10 days. AN INCH. But it's really not just a physical change we are seeing. Already we are laughing so much more. We aren't fighting or picking at each other. We are loving each other. We are more peaceful. Our minds are quieter.
My friends, this works. I'm not saying "go right out and buy p90x". But I am saying this - if you want a change in your life, do it. You can achieve it. Truly. I know I have a long road ahead of me, but I have finally found what works for me. You can find what works for you. And remember, a day at a time. Don't beat yourself up if you have an off day. It happens. Don't let it hold you back though or use it as an excuse either. Get up the next day, shake it off, and keep moving forward.
If I can do this, make this huge of a change, anyone can.
Sorry for the rambling post, but I am truly high on the excitement of seeing positive changes and for making it through my most dreaded workout!
Much Love!
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Girls aren't supposed to do push-ups... right?
At least that is my thinking right about now. I mean, why else do they have "girl push-ups" if we are expected to do hard ones? Me thinks Tony Horton didn't get this memo when developing p90x. I hate him a little bit right now. But I love him even more. These workouts push me to my max and I keep on going! My 12-year old daughter Susannah is here tonight and was watching me as I did "Core Synergistics". She kept saying how she wants to do the videos too. How they will make her stronger for volleyball. Crazy child! I mean... she's right. It would. But she's 12. So I'll let her try it with me next week and see how she likes it. This should be interesting...
On a different note, I made spaghetti for dinner with salad and french bread. After all, Susannah is here and she loves spaghetti. I balanced out the rest of my day to make up for the calorie intake I knew was coming this evening. However, I wasn't planning on the weight of the carbs once they hit my stomach. YUCK. It made me feel sluggish during my workout and my stomach still feels full from it. I didn't even eat half of what I would have in the past either! Steven is in the same boat. Guess I won't be making pasta for dinner anytime soon. Now excuse me while I go puke up some noodles (kidding!)
One other thing I learned today... I suck at math. When I left high school I had taken pre-calc and somehow managed to pass with a B. Today I took a placement test for college. I guess 18 years of not using advanced math has taken it's toll on my skills. I placed in Math 60. MATH 60!!! Did you hear that? How sad am I? Oh well, I need the refresher (obviously). The positive thing is that I aced one part of the writing/reading comprehension test and nearly aced the other part. When the counselor gave me my scores I explained I did fundraising. She said "well it shows with your scores". Yeah... no kidding.
Well, that's about all the ramblings I have tonight. I'm whipped and it's time for me to turn in.
Remember, every day is about choices. We can all achieve our dreams. We just have to work hard to get there.
Much love!
On a different note, I made spaghetti for dinner with salad and french bread. After all, Susannah is here and she loves spaghetti. I balanced out the rest of my day to make up for the calorie intake I knew was coming this evening. However, I wasn't planning on the weight of the carbs once they hit my stomach. YUCK. It made me feel sluggish during my workout and my stomach still feels full from it. I didn't even eat half of what I would have in the past either! Steven is in the same boat. Guess I won't be making pasta for dinner anytime soon. Now excuse me while I go puke up some noodles (kidding!)
One other thing I learned today... I suck at math. When I left high school I had taken pre-calc and somehow managed to pass with a B. Today I took a placement test for college. I guess 18 years of not using advanced math has taken it's toll on my skills. I placed in Math 60. MATH 60!!! Did you hear that? How sad am I? Oh well, I need the refresher (obviously). The positive thing is that I aced one part of the writing/reading comprehension test and nearly aced the other part. When the counselor gave me my scores I explained I did fundraising. She said "well it shows with your scores". Yeah... no kidding.
Well, that's about all the ramblings I have tonight. I'm whipped and it's time for me to turn in.
Remember, every day is about choices. We can all achieve our dreams. We just have to work hard to get there.
Much love!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
"Even the best fall down sometimes"
Well today is our official "rest" day of p90x. We have the option of doing the stretch workout and I will choose to do that because I need to stretch these poor, overworked muscles of mine.
Reflecting back over the course of the last week, these are a few things I've learned:
I enjoy working out. I don't know why I fight against it so much. I truly love it and I'm glad I'm back to it. I especially enjoy the variety that p90x offers. Not to say that is the only way to get fit, because there are hundreds of ways to exercise. Usually I'll check the TV schedule before starting any kind of exercise. I didn't do that this week at all. I wanted to start my workout as soon as Emberlyn was asleep. That's a huge change for me.
Cooking is fun! I've been making fresh, delicious meals for Steven and I and it is a lot of fun. I always thought it would be more time consuming because you have to chop up veggies and stuff. But it's not. And I usually dirty less pans! Steven is loving eating my cooking too. Last night he compared the burger I made to something you would buy in a really nice restaurant. That is a huge compliment!
Spirtual and emotional wellness is a heck of a lot harder to achieve and is going to take longer. Physical wellness is about input and output. Sadly, it's not that simple with emotional wellness. Allow me to elaborate on this subject a bit. I have been having a marvelous day today. I got through a huge stack of entry I needed to do, got to have lunch with my Susannah (my oldest daughter) and got a bonus of seeing my dad as he breezed through town. The sun is out and I was feeling great! Uplifted! Inspired! Then a friend of mine emailed me, needing a shoulder to cry on and someone to vent to. The topic of conversation was one that was familiar to me and one I could sympathize with, but nothing that effects my life now. But as I delved further into her issues with her, I started freaking out. Was this same thing happening in my life and I just didn't know it??? My mood started to darken, I no longer felt the joy I was feeling earlier and I lashed out at my husband, completely without cause or merit. I took her problems and internalized them and spewed them out.
Why did I do this? Is it because I'm such a sensitive person? Is it because I truly believed the situation could be happening to me? No. I did it because I have a long journey to find emotional wellness. I did it based on the past, not the present. It was a knee jerk reaction not based in my reality. I caught myself quickly, which is a step forward for me, but before I caught myself I had already lashed out. It's a lot of work, this emotional and spiritual wellness. I know I'm going in the right direction and I realize it can't all come at once. So I realize one big step I need to take is to separate myself from the problems of my friends. I just need to figure out how to do that.
Ideas?
I know I'll get there. But there are always dips in the road.
Much Love.
Reflecting back over the course of the last week, these are a few things I've learned:
I enjoy working out. I don't know why I fight against it so much. I truly love it and I'm glad I'm back to it. I especially enjoy the variety that p90x offers. Not to say that is the only way to get fit, because there are hundreds of ways to exercise. Usually I'll check the TV schedule before starting any kind of exercise. I didn't do that this week at all. I wanted to start my workout as soon as Emberlyn was asleep. That's a huge change for me.
Cooking is fun! I've been making fresh, delicious meals for Steven and I and it is a lot of fun. I always thought it would be more time consuming because you have to chop up veggies and stuff. But it's not. And I usually dirty less pans! Steven is loving eating my cooking too. Last night he compared the burger I made to something you would buy in a really nice restaurant. That is a huge compliment!
Spirtual and emotional wellness is a heck of a lot harder to achieve and is going to take longer. Physical wellness is about input and output. Sadly, it's not that simple with emotional wellness. Allow me to elaborate on this subject a bit. I have been having a marvelous day today. I got through a huge stack of entry I needed to do, got to have lunch with my Susannah (my oldest daughter) and got a bonus of seeing my dad as he breezed through town. The sun is out and I was feeling great! Uplifted! Inspired! Then a friend of mine emailed me, needing a shoulder to cry on and someone to vent to. The topic of conversation was one that was familiar to me and one I could sympathize with, but nothing that effects my life now. But as I delved further into her issues with her, I started freaking out. Was this same thing happening in my life and I just didn't know it??? My mood started to darken, I no longer felt the joy I was feeling earlier and I lashed out at my husband, completely without cause or merit. I took her problems and internalized them and spewed them out.
Why did I do this? Is it because I'm such a sensitive person? Is it because I truly believed the situation could be happening to me? No. I did it because I have a long journey to find emotional wellness. I did it based on the past, not the present. It was a knee jerk reaction not based in my reality. I caught myself quickly, which is a step forward for me, but before I caught myself I had already lashed out. It's a lot of work, this emotional and spiritual wellness. I know I'm going in the right direction and I realize it can't all come at once. So I realize one big step I need to take is to separate myself from the problems of my friends. I just need to figure out how to do that.
Ideas?
I know I'll get there. But there are always dips in the road.
Much Love.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Baseball
Steven loves baseball. And not just watching baseball. He loves playing it, studying it, reading about it, watching videos on techniques. He follows players, teams and stats. He will walk around the house with a ball and a mitt. He was ecstatic when he found out our DirectTV package came with the MLB Network. HE LOVES BASEBALL. But playing it has been a challenge because unless you know people on a team, it's hard to get to play in a league. This has lead to some mild frustration around our house. Nothing horrible mind you, but just those wistful "man I wish I could play on a team" moments.
He did play softball two summers ago. He liked it. It was okay. He got to get out and enjoy the sun, but it wasn't as challenging and as exciting as he likes. Last summer with the birth of Emberlyn, playing on a team (even if he could find one) was pretty much out. He was working his butt off to make it so I could stay home on maternity leave for the full 12 weeks and even if he would have found a team, he was too exhausted to do anything at the end of the day (and I am forever grateful for those 12 precious weeks).
Yesterday, Creator intervened. We decided we needed to get out of the house and he had a few tokens for the batting cages over at VRC. We figured a little family outing to Toys R Us and the batting cages were in order, so off we went. We decided to stop at Toys R Us first to check out ideas for Dibbles first birthday. (Side note - we ended up getting a killer deal on a little car for her that she loves! Her first Power Wheels... picture at the end). Then off to the batting cages. He gets into the batting cage and starts hitting the fast ball pitches. His form is good, he's having a good time and hits one ball so hard, it escapes out the back and put a hole in the back wall (they need to fix their back nets!). He steps out of the cage for a break and is talking to Emberlyn and I when this guy, about our age, comes up to him. Asks if he plays. Nope, not right now. Then he asks the golden question "would you be interested in playing on my team? We've got a few open slots I need to fill". DING DING DING, WE HAVE A WINNER! Apparently this guy and his teammates have been practicing hitting and pitching when they see Steven hitting in the cage. They want him on their team! HOORAY! So we get all the details, introductions are made, and Steven goes and hits a few pitches they throw at him. The guys all seem like nice guys and pretty laid-back.
I am so happy for him. This is just what he needs. And it also means that I get to hang out in the sun every Sunday this summer, watching my gorgeous husband play baseball while getting a tan and playing with my girls. WOOT!
Creator sure does deliver when he knows our spirits are in need of lifting. I am so thankful.
Oh, and here is a picture of our little Dibbles in her cool pink car.
Much Love!
He did play softball two summers ago. He liked it. It was okay. He got to get out and enjoy the sun, but it wasn't as challenging and as exciting as he likes. Last summer with the birth of Emberlyn, playing on a team (even if he could find one) was pretty much out. He was working his butt off to make it so I could stay home on maternity leave for the full 12 weeks and even if he would have found a team, he was too exhausted to do anything at the end of the day (and I am forever grateful for those 12 precious weeks).
Yesterday, Creator intervened. We decided we needed to get out of the house and he had a few tokens for the batting cages over at VRC. We figured a little family outing to Toys R Us and the batting cages were in order, so off we went. We decided to stop at Toys R Us first to check out ideas for Dibbles first birthday. (Side note - we ended up getting a killer deal on a little car for her that she loves! Her first Power Wheels... picture at the end). Then off to the batting cages. He gets into the batting cage and starts hitting the fast ball pitches. His form is good, he's having a good time and hits one ball so hard, it escapes out the back and put a hole in the back wall (they need to fix their back nets!). He steps out of the cage for a break and is talking to Emberlyn and I when this guy, about our age, comes up to him. Asks if he plays. Nope, not right now. Then he asks the golden question "would you be interested in playing on my team? We've got a few open slots I need to fill". DING DING DING, WE HAVE A WINNER! Apparently this guy and his teammates have been practicing hitting and pitching when they see Steven hitting in the cage. They want him on their team! HOORAY! So we get all the details, introductions are made, and Steven goes and hits a few pitches they throw at him. The guys all seem like nice guys and pretty laid-back.
I am so happy for him. This is just what he needs. And it also means that I get to hang out in the sun every Sunday this summer, watching my gorgeous husband play baseball while getting a tan and playing with my girls. WOOT!
Creator sure does deliver when he knows our spirits are in need of lifting. I am so thankful.
Oh, and here is a picture of our little Dibbles in her cool pink car.
Much Love!
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Happy Sunday!
Good Morning! Last night was our first day of p90x Yoga X. Yoga you say? How hard could that be? Oh my goodness... it was SO HARD!!!! They did poses my body doesn't even know how to get into and it was ninety minutes long. My goal by the end of this whole journey - to be into the pose where you bring your legs all the way over your head and your knees are by your ears. That was just pure craziness! (Steven says that's been his goal for me since he first met me... he's a funny one)
It was a good day for eating well. I made us stuffed bell peppers for dinner which were quite good. I need to add some more spices to them, but I'm learning. Tonight it is honey chicken with roasted asparagus and stuffed anaheim peppers (I'll be eating the asparagus alone, Steven thinks it's the devil).
My favorite thing about yoga is the peace it brings at the end. Most workouts you end sweating like a pig, mad that you had to put yourself through it, but proud for finishing it. With yoga you end peaceful and calm, not just your body but your mind and spirit. I know I will be looking forward to this workout every week.
I've debated putting our starting measurements out, but figure what the heck, so here it goes:
Jen
Weight: 207
Chest: 43"
Waist: 38.5"
Hips: 45"
Right Thigh: 28"
Left Thigh: 28"
Right Arm: 13.5"
Left Arm: 13.25"
Steven
Weight: 188
Chest: 41.5"
Waist: 39"
Hips: 42"
Right Thigh: 23"
Left Thigh: 23"
Right Arm: 13"
Left Arm" 12.75"
I'll post our measurements again at 30, 60 and 90 days.
Here's to living well!
Much Love!
It was a good day for eating well. I made us stuffed bell peppers for dinner which were quite good. I need to add some more spices to them, but I'm learning. Tonight it is honey chicken with roasted asparagus and stuffed anaheim peppers (I'll be eating the asparagus alone, Steven thinks it's the devil).
My favorite thing about yoga is the peace it brings at the end. Most workouts you end sweating like a pig, mad that you had to put yourself through it, but proud for finishing it. With yoga you end peaceful and calm, not just your body but your mind and spirit. I know I will be looking forward to this workout every week.
I've debated putting our starting measurements out, but figure what the heck, so here it goes:
Jen
Weight: 207
Chest: 43"
Waist: 38.5"
Hips: 45"
Right Thigh: 28"
Left Thigh: 28"
Right Arm: 13.5"
Left Arm: 13.25"
Steven
Weight: 188
Chest: 41.5"
Waist: 39"
Hips: 42"
Right Thigh: 23"
Left Thigh: 23"
Right Arm: 13"
Left Arm" 12.75"
I'll post our measurements again at 30, 60 and 90 days.
Here's to living well!
Much Love!
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Starting Out
Welcome to our journey! Steven and I have begun a path to wellness and we want to share our triumphs and trials as we go along, in the hopes to inspire others.
A little about us. We met in the fall of 2008 and got married June 2009. Yes, crazy fast, we know! In May 2010 we welcomed our beautiful little baby girl into the world. Between an infant and Jennifer's 12-year old, we are crazy busy!
So why a blog? Well, we wanted a way to share our journey with others. I can't believe I'm admitting this, but I weigh 207 pounds. Do you know how ridiculous that is???? IT IS RIDICULOUS. I had bought p90x for Steven when I was pregnant and shortly after it arrived, work picked up for him and the baby arrived, so it sat on a shelf collecting dust. Way to spend $120! This last fall, our friends asked if they could borrow it. We figured why not, it wasn't doing anything for us other than being another decoration of "get in shape" dreams tossed aside. What we were not expecting was the results they got! My friend Jennifer lost SEVEN INCHES off her hips. HOLY COW!
This inspired both of us. We decided... it's only 90 days. We can do anything for 90 days. So here we are, day four of p90x. But we aren't just dedicating ourselves to working out. We are changing how we eat. I'm learning to cook (I know how, but really learning how to work with the flavors of foods and not just open a box). And we are beginning a spiritual journey to bring more peace in our lives.
So follow along, we would love to have you join us. I hope we are able to inspire you to reach for something you've been wanting to do, no matter what it is.
Much love!
A little about us. We met in the fall of 2008 and got married June 2009. Yes, crazy fast, we know! In May 2010 we welcomed our beautiful little baby girl into the world. Between an infant and Jennifer's 12-year old, we are crazy busy!
So why a blog? Well, we wanted a way to share our journey with others. I can't believe I'm admitting this, but I weigh 207 pounds. Do you know how ridiculous that is???? IT IS RIDICULOUS. I had bought p90x for Steven when I was pregnant and shortly after it arrived, work picked up for him and the baby arrived, so it sat on a shelf collecting dust. Way to spend $120! This last fall, our friends asked if they could borrow it. We figured why not, it wasn't doing anything for us other than being another decoration of "get in shape" dreams tossed aside. What we were not expecting was the results they got! My friend Jennifer lost SEVEN INCHES off her hips. HOLY COW!
This inspired both of us. We decided... it's only 90 days. We can do anything for 90 days. So here we are, day four of p90x. But we aren't just dedicating ourselves to working out. We are changing how we eat. I'm learning to cook (I know how, but really learning how to work with the flavors of foods and not just open a box). And we are beginning a spiritual journey to bring more peace in our lives.
So follow along, we would love to have you join us. I hope we are able to inspire you to reach for something you've been wanting to do, no matter what it is.
Much love!
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