Another Weekend? Afraid so....

We weekend of better choices began with good intentions. It always does, right? Rach and I went to Evans Street for a lovely dinner. The good choices lasted until then. Dinner was, as always, delicious. The drinks, especially the "Mary Anne" were, as always, delicious. The Mary Ann is a mango infused martini. It was as delightful as it sounds. And then some. And then some more.

Today is Sunday. I have not been to the Fitness Connection since Wednesday, oh no wait, Tuesday? Yeah. I have a million reason why, but do they really matter? The bottom line is that I have not been to work out in days. Tomorrow evening I will be there. I don't have any programs running, and even if you called me and begged me to go out with you, I still feel a little 'mango-ed' out from Friday night.

My food intake was fairly responsible this weekend. Better than the last two, that's for sure. So, the weekend wasn't a total loss training wise. And in all honesty, training schmraing, when it comes to Evans Street my favorite. Ya know?

Tomorrow is also SWIMMING! My goal for the week is to take it slow. I have a million things to do, one of them being baking 30 cupcakes for a pretty girl's 8th birthday! Slow and steady will win this race.

Inside all of us is HOPE. I would rather be full of HOPE than jelly beans.

Weekend Warrior?

I believe the weekend is beginning now. Why? Well, apparently the public schools are not in session tomorrow? Why? Who knows. I really don't know. These kids never go to school anymore. Hello 3 day week; Monday was a snow day, and Friday is a whatever day. I'll take it. 3 day week, bring it on. The problem of course is that the weekends destroy me, and now we are making an extra long weekend. I have to stay strong, "Make a habit of staying strong." Do you know what book that is from? Take a guess.

I think it might have pulled my hip flexor last night reffing basketball, but never fear, a trip to the chiropractor this morning fixed me right up. Swimming was good last night. I found my self out of breath on a few occasions, and that felt wonderful. (notice in the pic above, I have a fancy new swim cap. It is great! Plus I look cute in it) I took the day off from the gym simply because it was chaos here. See photo below.

She is fine, no surgery required, but will remain in a cast for 4-6 weeks. A nice Sparty cast for Abby.

Tomorrow I don't imagine I will make it to gym at all. One kid has a half day of school, the other kid has no school, I think I will be playing taxi driver most of the day. Then I am heading out to the Museum tomorrow night for a lecture. I would love to say I might learn something fantastic and amazing, but they will have beer and wine. And we all know what that means......

So, Saturday. Saturday I will head to the FC in the morning. Hit me up if you want company. After taking 2 days off I will NEED to push myself on Saturday. See? See what the weekends do me?

Even with all this chaos, I am feeling fairly balanced this week. Yes, it has been non stop, but it has been controlled and smooth. Deep breath and take it all in. Happy 3 day weekend.

Swimming tonight!

Runnin' Down A Dream - Tom Pet...

I have been listening to this song almost every day at the gym. I feel like a I running down a dream, except for, you know, I don't like to run. At all. Yeah, there, I said it. I don't like to run. I dread it even. I don't mean to complain, I'm just being honest. I look at this group of women, Teresa included, and they like to run. Maybe even love to run. I guess I'm just not that girl. I like to EFX, and I love to row, but run? My eyes roll at the thought of it. Maybe as I become a better runner I will enjoy it more? Maybe I was just bread for contact sports? Regardless, I am making headway. I am improving my times, and let's face it, they could only go down.

I was planning on getting a quick work out in this morning, but no such luck. I am not that worried about it seeing as though I am reffing 2 games tonight plus swimming. Swimming! Yeay! I have been excited all day at thought of swimming.

Tomorrow I need to hit the gym and lift hard. I will. It is in my plan! Jane is visiting tomorrow and bringing stories from her trip to the Olympics. and presents I can't wait. We all know I love the Olympics and I love presents.

I am still processing through the movie FOOD, INC. I have been doing a lot of thinking. Maybe too much thinking? Maybe. I made some carrot spinich muffins, and as awful as they sound, they are yummy. Organic, honey instead of much sugar, with lots of spices. I think I might have discovered my new 'this is what I bake the best'. We all know my best thing is my mac and cheese, but that really goeas against everything I am trying to do here, doesn't it? These muffins fill the void of missing carbs. At least they are whole grain carbs!

It is almost the weekend! My weekend of better choices I will call it. I am going to stick with my workout plan and stick with my eating plan. Except for Friday night when I go to the Museum. Other than that.... I have less than 2 weeks until St. Thomas, and if I am going to stray it will be then, while on vacation. Not now. There is no excuse for straying from the plan now. Other than laziness.

Inside all of us is HOPE. inside of me are two carrot spinich muffins!

I need the consistency of my week!!!

The weekends are the hardest for me, I tend to fall apart each and every weekend. I don't make it to the gym for long enough periods of time, if at all, and I eat crappy food, and way too much crappy food at that. I look forward to Monday because I know what to expect. I know I work a long day on Mondays, I always work out on Mondays, and I swim on Monday nights. Pretty simple, right?

Well, today is a snow day. As much as I am trying to 'work' from home, I can honestly admit that the only thing I HAVE completed is Peyton's 8 year movie for her birthday. In all reality I would not have gotten that done if this snow storm didn't bombard us, so yeay??

We talk about balance consistently. Regardless of the dynamics or gender roles of our relationships, some of us are the ones who stay home and some of us are the ones who work. I placed a phone call today asking my partner in parenting to come home early so I could go into work for a bit. The basic answer was, "I can't. I am swamped. I have this due and that due and and and and....( and yes, there were I'm sorry's thrown in!)" I get it, don't get me wrong, I get it. The problem for those of you like me is this; now what? Will I make it to the gym tonight? Will I make it to work at all? Swimming tonight is cancelled due to weather, so my fingers are crossed I can at least hit the gym for my lower body work out. It's all about balance, and I suppose we are only as strong as our weakest spoke on the wheel of balance is. (Like the wellness wheel!) My goal this week is to identify my weakest spoke and start rebuilding it. It's a start, right?

In other news, shoveling the driveway was a great upper body work out. This snow is crazy heavy and wet. Also, lifting big heavy balls made from wet heavy snow is a great work out! =)

Tomorrow I can only hope routine returns. Swimming Wednesday? I have hope.

Inside all of us is HOPE!

Another Saturday night....

I have been meaning to blog all day, really I have. But things kept coming up and blah blah blah we all know how that goes. Just like I was going to go to the gym today, but things came up and in the end I never made it. I know, blah blah blah. I am going tomorrow, I promise!

Today I had steak. Yup, you read that right, steak. It was cooked perfectly, of course NOT by me remember when I lost eye lashes and eye brows lighting the grill? . I ate no more than 4 oz, but it tasted amazing. I savored every bite! BUT, as I imagined, it did not settle well with me. I made sure I took a digestive enzyme to help my body break it down, but had no luck with that. I am feeling pretty sluggish. I need to get to bed, sleep this off, and hit the gym in the morning.

I tend to slack off of the working out routine during the weekend. I get so lazy, or maybe just so consumed with life. My work week routine works so much better for me. The same goes for my eating habits, it is much easier to stay on track during the week. I feel as though I undo everything on the weekends that I work so hard to restart during the week. I need to get into a better weekend routine! I will. In due time.

As for now I am going to sleep off this steak hangover, and hope to feel less sluggish in the morning!

Inside all of us is HOPE.

Exhausted...

Exhausted? Very much so, thanks. Last night's swimming was amazing, I love to swim and I love the company I keep when I swim, Teresa made me laugh the entire time! Thank you for that!

I worked out this morning at The Christian Family Centre with Rach, and had a wonderful time. It wasn't busy, and we were able to play around, chat a little, and even get some exercise done. Imagine that? I did not get on The WAVE today, and I probably needed it after yesterday's double workout. Perhaps my weekend will provide some time to get back to the Centre for some WAVE time? One can hope. I don't think I have to ref tonight so my body will have a good 24 hours to recover before I hit the gym again. Whew, I need it.

I am still craving meat. Not just meat, STEAK. I big ginormous steak. I don't think I will actually eat one for a few reasons. Even if I could make a quick trip to Whole Foods to get a nice steak, the last time I started up the grill I burned off my eye lashes and most of my eye brows, and I have no desire to do that again. I might head over to the Blvd. Market for some local cheese in hopes that satisfies my craving? If not, Tilapia is our dinner plan, I hope that fulfills some of my neediness.

I am still tired. I blame it on the Olympics. It is SO hard to go to bed at a reason time when you are addicted to them. I am loving, as before, Anton Apolo Ono (who isn't?) and so many others. Women's skiing has become a fav! I have a super relaxed day tomorrow so perhaps I can squeeze in a little nap? (again) One can hope, right?

I think I am done weighing in on a scale. My goal is to track my body fat % instead of pounds. Why not change it up a little bit? I need stay motivated and on the right track.

My balancing act is going well knock on wood these days. I do not feel deficient in any aspect other than laundry. But laundry is laundry and will always be backed up. And since no one can figure out how to find/buy/borrow/invent a laundry fairy I have come to terms with this. I bought everyone another package of underpants, undershirts, and socks. Jeans can be worn more than once or twice , so moving on.....

Basketball tonight, and you know how much I love basketball!

Inside all of us is HOPE.

Petty Brought me Home Today! Thanks

I just got home from the gym with hopes of talking, kissing, and snuggling with my little boy; but he was playing batman with the dog and I am a girl and girls can't play. So there I have it. I guess I will blog.....

I had a decent work out today. I ran 2 miles, but they were a fast 2 miles. Faster than the 3 miles I ran yesterday. How fast? I have no idea. I just ran. I need to keep my focus more and chart my times better, but those of you who know me, know my brain doesn't work like that. I have an app on my phone that charts everything but sadly enough I only use it about 25% of the time. I need to be better about that. I WILL be better about that. So, I ran 2 miles, EFX'd 2 miles and the light lifted. Why light lifting? Because I am swimming tonight and I want to swim hard. My goal tonight is 1500m bilateral breathing the whole time. I go so much faster breathing that way. I also go faster when I remember to use my legs more.....

Tomorrow morning I have a hott date at The Christian Family Centre. Oh wait, I think it's a not date.... Whatevzies. I am calling it a hott date! RBH and BPE are my fav's and I shall date them both tomorrow morning! So, just finished one work out, swimming tonight, workout tomorrow am at the CFC. Yeah, I got this!

Here is my challenge to all of you... I need some new music to work out to. Burn me your best workout mix. Today Petty got me through, and I rely on Petty a lot, but we all know he is not a work out master! PINK has been good to me, along with OUTKAST, BLACK EYES PEAS, GOOD CHARLOTTE, and a few others. I need something new! Help me out, please?

"I rolled on as the sky grew dark...I put the pedal down to make some time...There’s something good waitin’ down this road....I’m pickin’ up whatever is mine" Yes, Petty kept me going, as I was running down MY dream.

Inside all of us is HOPE.

Staying Sharp!

I love to people watch, and the gym is exception to this. Probably my favorite thing about the way The Fitness Connection is set up is that the EFX machines are in the back, so you can see everyone when you use one of them. I play mind games with myself about all the people in front of me. Weather they are running, stretching, biking, whatever, I create a story in my head about them. Sometimes I watch people run and think about the way they run, if they are really smooth I try to copy their moves. I think my favorite game to play other than check out every one's shoes and clothes is what I call "I wonder what your face looks like". I play this game when I can watch a person work out, look at their body, but have no idea what their face looks like. It keeps me entertained. I was telling Shelley about this the other day and she told me that she had just read an article that said playing games with people at the gym is a great way to stay motivated. And I just thought I was creepy, turns out I am staying motivated. How 'bout that?

Today I rocked the EFX and ran. I hate running. On the tredmill that is. I feel so obnoxious and awkward. I can't wait to get outside and run! I am so excited Rach
offered to be my running partner this morning. I think this spring has great things in store for us! Tomorrow is my swim night, after Wellness University that is. I can't explain how much I love swimming. But I just love it. Love it.

My goal this week is sleep. I have been staying up too late lately and that needs to stop. Granted I have read some amazing books, but I need to limit my reading time at night. My goal is to be in bed by 9:00 each night. I am currently reading White Tiger, but I am not far enough into it to review it for you. In time. In other news on trying to keep my mind sharp; Rach and I are attending Inside Stories: Desperate Housewives at the Toledo Museum of Art next Friday night. If it is good we might put a monthly museum night on our calenders. Seeing as though they will have beer and wine who can turn that down?

Three weeks from today, at almost this very moment I will getting off of a plane with my boy on my arm in St. Thomas. I am beyond excited. I need to work hard in the gym these next weeks to make sure I look good on the beach! Short term goal: Beach body. Long term goal: Tri-training. Check and check.

If you need some perspective on balance, check out this blog: www.beccasbalancingact.blogspot.com
She is an amazing writer, you will not disappointed in her Wit.

Inside all of us is HOPE.

What are you reading?

These last few days I have focused a lot on health and wellness, but not the physical aspect of it. I love to read, most people know that about me. I go in phases though, and crave new books, something to open my eyes a little. I am still in love with Pat Conroy, and each time I place an Amazon order I want to add one more Conroy book. I have finished COMMITTED, the new Elizabeth Gilbert book, and must admit I loved it. Not loved it like I loved Eat Pray Love, but loved it none the less. Now I am pushing through the book PUSH. Wow is all I can say so far. Just wow.

What do all of these books have in common? Probably nothing except the company I keep when I read them. My sister, Rach, and I all read both Gilbert books at around the same time. Rach and I read Conroy together, and now PUSH. I love having wonderful women in my life that I can read with and then discuss the books with. I need to discuss books. I need that intellectual stimulation! We have tried in the past to start a book club. Nothing ever worked. I think we all could use a good book club, don't you? Who's in? A book club that meets once a month at Evans Street to discuss books over a few Obies. That is my proposal to keep our mental health and intellectual health in the right spot. Please don't knock each other to join this book club, I have a feeling it might just be the two of us. That's fine, but the more the merrier.

So cheers. Here is to your intellectual health and wellness. If you need something, I will recommend these: TWEAK by Nic Scheff and South of Broad by Pat Conroy.

Inside all of us is HOPE. Happy President's Day tomorrow. My day is jam packed, I am hoping for a good work out, I don't think it will happen though. Tuesday FO SHO!

Home Tomorrow. Gym tomorrow!

Swimming! Yeah! I made it to the pool today, unfortunately not the lap pool, but the pool none the less. Mom and I took the kids swimming and the Community Center. I had hopes of sneaking over to the lap pool for a bit, but it was closed. Just the OASIS was open. Yeah, the OASIS. Funny huh? We had a blast, and I managed a semi decent pool workout in. Kind of. We rode the water slide, played in the mushroom, and I drug the kids around the deep end. Better than nothing!

I had a massage this afternoon and it was amazing. A.maz.ing. Thank to mom for getting me one as my Valentine's Day present. I am so lucky. This massage therapist stretched out my arms, and rolled me around, doing what felt like lifting up my scapula and working on the muscles underneath. It was divine.

I hope to be home in time tomorrow to hit the gym. I am dying to get back in the gym. It has been since Thursday afternoon!

Happy Valentine's Day tomorrow. Happy Valentine's Eve tonight. I plan on indulging in one piece of very nice chocolate. I figure the better the chocolate is, the less I will need to satisfy my cravings!

Inside all of us is HOPE.

1, 2 ready, go!!

I was supposed to lift my lower body today, but while at the gym I remembered that I am reffing 2 games tonight so I stopped myself. Just in time. Whhhew. Remember the last time I lifted lower body and then reffed? It was horrible.

My food intake has been interesting this week. I am still eating lentils every single day. I think that is funny because I never liked them much before, now they are a staple. I am back on peanut butter and almond butter and I use them both with my protein shakes. I haven't introduced whole nuts yet, and haven't felt an urge for anything other than perhaps some raw almonds. They are on my list to get this weekend. Tomorrow I am going to splurge and stop by The Boulevard Market and buy some cheese to nibble on for the drive up north. I have been thinking about getting some good cheese for days, but have held off until tomorrow. I could eat a block of cheese, but will settle for a few slices.

It is warm enough for an outside jog today....... I jogged to my car to get my Ipod, does that count?

Inside all of us is HOPE. The rest of that goes like this.... Inside all of us is FEAR, Inside all of us is ADVENTURE, Inside all of us is a WILD THING. Enjoy this song.

Rumpus - Karen O and the Kids

Irrational Fear: A phobia, or morbid fear, is an irrational, intense, persistent fear of certain situations or activities.

I had to freak out for a minute at work this afternoon because of all the 'treats' all over the office. I couldn't handle the temptations. I told Cathy and Heather that they had to take home the lemon cookies. And all the cookies. Cookies everywhere! Lots of treats were left over from the Daddy/Daughter dance this year, and they all sat in my office tempting me with their sweetness. But I'm okay now. I promise. No more freak outs over cookies, I'm good.

A friend of mine was telling me that she swims in Ypsi in a pool that has salt water. I might venture that way one night and give it a try. I have been thinking a lot about swimming lately. I have also been thinking a lot about my up and coming vacation. I am excited to run on the beach and in theory swim in the ocean. I say in theory because I have an irrational fear of sharks. I don't think it will be possible for me to swim in an ocean in open water, though I dream about swimming in a calm bay almost every night. What do I mean by irrational fear of sharks? Ask my dad, he has it too. (It must be genetic.) I think if I jump off a boat in open water a shark will eat me. I don't even think I can be in the ocean where I can't see my surroundings, including the bottom. And to be honest, I am afraid of sharks in Michigan Lakes as well. Yeah I know. Keep laughing, I said it was an irrational shark fear. Of course it doesn't make any sense. So now here I am with these grandiose dreams of swimming in open water to improve my times, knowing full well I will go into a sheer panic and never be able to swim like that. Thanks Dad. Thanks for the irrational fear of sharks! How is it that we are like this, but my sister is in love with sharks? Interesting. Put the three of us on an island together and I guess she will be the one swimming with the sharks, while Dad and I wade with the toddlers!

Tonight we have a lecture at The John W. Smith House called WELLNESS; The JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME. The presentation is going to be fantastic, I can't wait. I hope to see many of you there tonight, bring your gym clothes, we can go work out afterwards!

I can be the Bell of the Ball

I am watching the snow roll in and keep thinking I should go for a run. I have NO idea why I feel an urge to run in the snow, but I do. I would hate to ruin my shoes, so I won't be doing any running. I thought about shoveling the driveway, a nice cardio workout that could be, then decided I might have better luck making a pouty face at me neighbor in hopes he will just do it for me. It might work? If not, I do have 2 children who were bred for speed and athletic ability, they are a wonderful snow removal system!

I am banking on no school for tomorrow. I am thinking about spending the morning at the Christian Family Centre working out while they are in day care, then we can all go swimming together and rock wall climbing! Then coming home having lunch and heading to The Pit for some sledding. They should sleep well if we can pack it all in.

Tonight is the first night of Wellness University. My goal is to have a computerized body fat composition program in place. I am excited to have a program that can monitor body fat on a weekly basis for those of us that are not seeing results on the scale, but know we are working out hard turning our fat into muscle. If you need more info on Wellness University, click on it and give us a call. All the cool kids are doing it! I love seeing this community become invested in their health and wellness, and being a part of that process.

Shelley told me about wheat meat the other day. She said she saw a program where it was used a 'meat' for chili. Interesting huh? I am still sticking with my lentils. They are giving me protein and I feel good! Though tonight the kids are begging for calzones. I am thinking spinach, fresh mozz, grape tomatoes, and some basil? Could be worse, right? So, calzones it is for dinner tonight, and probably lunch tomorrow. Yum!

I can't wait to get my massage on Saturday. My shoulders hurt from swimming so hard. Thank you Mommy for setting one up for me while we are visiting you over the weekend. I am counting down the days. I am also going to try to do some swimming at The Midland Community Center while I am there. Imagine; a pool that is open every single day? I talked to the boy who works at the Middle School pool for a bit last night. He is so nice. We talked a lot about my swimming, my goals, and he offered lots of help. That is the nice thing about a small town, the individuals are still individuals. Maybe he will be my swim coach? Maybe he can push me to the next level? Maybe. I am working hard on my bilateral breathing. I swim faster when I breathe every 3 strokes, but for whatever reason it hurts my ears to breath on my left side. Seriously. Maybe I need ear plugs? Ear plugs and a killer cool swim cap, I will be the Bell of the Ball! Not as cool as you are in that picture, but I can try!

Inside all of us is HOPE.

Swimming!! Finally!

As Monday rolls around it always brings comments from people about their progress from the week prior. I love hearing the comments, hearing your stories. I find it remarkable that it is common language for some of us to discuss our weekly progress on Mondays. I have no idea where you watched the Super Bowl, but I know how hard you worked out last week, where you slacked, and what your numbers are.

As for me, I swam hard tonight. Harder than I did last week, and I didn't think that was possible. I kept getting cramps in the arches of my left foot, does this happen to anyone else? It was horrible, and painful. I spent my last 15 minutes using mostly just my arms because every time I kicked I got a cramp. Not to be gross, but the cramps were the cool kind that you can see. I stopped to rub a few of them out and could see the muscle knot up and move. It was freakishly cool.

If this storm storm is half as strong as they are predicting I am plan on playing a little hooky and taking the kids to the Pit. I can't think of better cardio that hauling 2 small children up a hill on a sled over and over again. If you haven't been to the Pit lately, the trees are padded and there are bales of hay set up to keep everyone safe!

I have not lifted since Friday, and need to get into the gym. I think Wednesday might be my best bet. I miss lifting, I want to go so bad today but there just wasn't enough time. And of course last Monday I lifted, refereed, and swam and it killed me. So tonight I ref'd two games then swam for an hour. I think I did okay today considering I never made it to the gym!

Tomorrow is another day. It is not the hours you put in, but what you put in the hours.

Inside all of us is HOPE.

My Village. I am so lucky to be right where I am. Thank You.

I can't express often enough how lucky I am to have wonderful people in my life. For me, staying focused and on the right course is so important to me, and the truth is, I can't do it alone. The African proverd- "It takes a village to raise a child" is true in more than just child rearing. I need this village of amazing people to push me, encourage me, and call me out when I slip. I also need this village to help watch the amazing 4 year old boy that needs his Mommy to find balance in this world and create the healthiest possible life for him and his sister to thrive in. A round of thanks goes out to all the wonderful people who do these things for me, or have offered to do these things. I couldn't devote as much time to training with out you, I would not have the resources to pull from with out you, and would not find success with out you. Thank you.

I consider myself an audio processor, I love to talk things out. I will talk your ear off if you can put up with me. Rach and I have made it weekly tradition to head to A2 for the best opportunity we can find to buy organically, and support the Michigan economy by buying as much local products as we can find. I cherish these trips for many reasons, aside from the company shopping, I love the 2 hours of conversation this provides. We talk. Really talk. We talk about the kids, the challenges, their eating habits, their growth, their favorite foods of the week. We exchange ideas, bounce around thoughts and dreams, and best of all, she keeps me in check. (I hope I keep her in check too) I need to process things out loud, it helps me organize my brain. From books to movies to magazine articles. I need people in my life that I can talk to about all the mixed information out there.

I did not work out today. I have been feeling a little on the horrible side, and it is all my own doing. I introduced my body to beer last night, and let's just say that was not my best choice. Today my body is making sure my brain realizes what a poor decision I made. So far, coffee and beer are on my list on enemies.

Tomorrow is typical Monday. A quick workout, reff 2 basketball games, and then swim. I can't wait to swim! I love swimming with Teresa and Ashley. I think I am going to bring my camera and give it to Ash to take pictures since she always finishes before Teresa and myself, I am trying to document as much as possible from this journey.

I am excited to begin a new week and see what possibilities await. Inside all of us is HOPE,

"Your life is an occasion. Rise to it." Mr. Magorium

Friday came and went in flash, leaving me no time to blog about my adventures. So today I will catch up. Work was busy, and my life was in constant motion all day long. I managed to get at least one key thing done; I interviewed a new cleaning lady (!) she starts Monday. I am beyond excited about this, I think she is perfect for what I need help with. It's all about balance, and I think in order for me to find the perfect balance I need help. Delegation so to speak. Done. And done.

It was after 7 by the time I finally made it to the gym. Friday nights at the gym might be my favorite time there. Carnie Wilson Unstapled plays on the TV instead of The Young and the Restless, and everyone there minds their own business. A head nod or half smile might be exchanged from time to time, but for the most part it is quiet on Friday nights. I did 4 miles on the EFX, ran/walked 3, 10 minutes on the rower, then lifted upper body. I left feeling amazing, I still feel amazing from it. It was the hardest workout I have put myself through since the Body Purification, and much needed. I am not working out today, I need a day off. plus I have all kinds of cool plans for the day and evening to keep me uber busy!

I want to blog/discuss how I feel after watching the movie FOOD, INC., but I don't think I can yet. I am still digesting a lot of the information, and deciding where and how I am going to make changes. Because, this I promise you, I am going to make changes. I am done with soy milk, I do know that, I will never buy meat from a chain store again, I do know that. I am not even certain I am going to eat red meat again, but that might change. . My plan today is buy milk, eggs, cheese, and veggies from John the Farmer when he comes today. (Everything he has he grows himself on his farm with his family. He animals are treated fairly, and NOT fed corn) Other than that for today, I don't know where else I am going to make food changes. I feel motivated to take action. I will blog on this more and more and more and even more as I wrap my head around my action steps. I want to put my money where my mouth is before I open my mouth too wide. So, for today, I am buying what I can from John the Farmer, Rach and I are going to Whole Foods for everything else. It's someplace. Someplace better than Wal-Mart. (though we all know I never really shopped at Wal-Mart before, it is a metaphor)

I would love to swim today. My arms are aching to swim. Monday. Monday. Monday.

Have a wonderful weekend. Inside all of us is HOPE.

You make it look so easy. I'm sorry, I don't mean to deceive you.

I seek advice from others, but in the end I make my own choices. Sometimes I make good choices, but sometimes, I make not so good choices. In the end they are my choices, I reap what I sew. I am trying to make better life choices, but defining that, understanding exactly what that means, and then putting into practice are 3 totally different things. I am still on the learning curve, I imagine it is a lifelong curve at that.

Rachel told me yesterday that she had her first cup of coffee in almost 30 days. I thought about stopping at The Grind for a cup myself yesterday morning but didn't have time. She then told me it wasn't worth it and she felt horrible. I told myself at that moment that I was going to stay away from coffee because she is right, it is not worth it. Easier said than done. Today I was in Adrian for some work stuff and couldn't help but swing through Starbucks. Yummy, delicious Starbucks. Ohh sweet coffee. I couldn't have been more wrong on that call. Let's just say it has taken me 3 hours to blog this because my tummy is cramping up and I keep running to the bathroom, I have a headache from the caffeine, and my brain is scrambled ADD eggs. Coffee you are my new enemy. Yes Rachel, you were right, it was SO not worth it.

I am drinking enough water and eating enough green veggies to support a small elephant, so I can only hope it can repair the damage one cup of Joe did to my system. If I am going to feel sick I would rather have a beer, ya know?

I worked out pretty hard yesterday, it felt amazing. I need that endorphin rush to push me through the rest of my day. I lifted moderately hard, just my upper body though(legs are today). I ran, I rowed, and I EFX'd. Basketball was a success last night as well. I didn't have to ref, but I was able to play around a little bit and was pulled aside by 2 different parents at 2 different time to tell me what an awesome job I did Monday night referring. They were impressed by my knowledge of the game, and my desire to teach the kids as much as officiate. I laughed on the inside, if they only knew my credentials. If they only knew what kind of player/coach I was in my glory days.... But compliments always feel good, and are always welcome!

I swam last night. My goal was 1500m. My friend Teresa wasn't there so I had to swim alone. Since I didn't have anyone to chat with I figured why stop swimming? So I swam. And I swam. And I swam some more. I swan until I could no longer swim. Secretly I was racing an older gentleman who was in the lane next to me. He was fast and smooth, and kept going strong. He beat me by at least 200 if not 300 meters. He asked if I was a competitive swimmer, seriously. I laughed to myself. I guess my swimming is improving! I feel as though I am on the right path as far as my swimming is going, so his compliment was nice to hear. The running on the other hand is a slow process. I need to improve my times, improve my stamina, and improve my form. Oh yeah, and probably buy new shoes.

Today I am hitting the gym, lifting lower body and cardio. Basketball tonight. My energy is still high, as are my hopes. I know my life is good because I have 2 problems. My first problem is that too many people have bought me a massage for Valentine's Day. Having too many Valentine's is a wonderful problem, as is having too many massages scheduled. My other problem is that I bought a kick ass bracelet. I am in love with it. It was black and light blue when I bought it, now the chlorine has turned it navy blue and white.

http://www.lala.com/#search/lifestyles%20of%20the%20rich%20and%20the%20famous

In honor of those 2 things being my problems, listen to this song. (Yes, this is a play on yesterday's post when I wrote about all the complaining people do.) I am not complaining. Things are going well for me, or maybe I am just seeing things through my rose colored glasses. But please, don't be fooled by my optimism. This is not easy. I would hate for my anti-misanthropic way to leave you believing that any of this is easy. It is actually some of the hardest things I have ever done in my entire life. I am just living on my endorphin high, having hope, and trying as hard as I can to be better. Believe you me, I could tell you about how bad I want a pizza, a whole pizza, not just a slice. I could tell you about how tired I am, how sore I am, and many other things, but what's the point. You are all intelligent enough to know that this is not easy, right? Meredith Grey once said, (or Harvey McKay once said) "Life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so love the people who treat you right, forget about the ones who don't, and believe that everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it."

Inside all of us is HOPE.

What color are your glasses?

Many of you follow this blog through links on facebook (Thank you!), therefore, many of you have heard me talk about Phil Brabbs and his battle with multiple myeloma. I was reading his blog this morning, I am completely inspired by him. He is on cycle 6 of chemo, raising 2 small children with one on the way, and imagine this; wasn't feeling too well the other day. To get out of his funk he ran three, yes, THREE miles. My hero.

I have listened to people complain a lot as of late. I think about how blessed so many of us are, and how different our lives would be if we could spend a little more time looking through these (photo courtesy of Phil's blog) Rose Colored Glasses. My goal is to look through these as often as I can, and feel blessed everyday for what I have, including my health. Maybe I will tint my goggles rose as I head back to the pool tonight for another work out. Yeah, that's right, tonight, even though it is not MY swim night I am going swimming. 1500 is my goal. Bring it! Lisa said she is looking for a swim cap for me. I hope it is obnoxious!

Since I didn't work out yesterday, and have not lifted since Sunday, I am heading to the gym when I get out of work at 2 today. Cardio and weights, cardio and weights, cardio and weights. I could write about song about my love affair with cardio and weights. I am grateful that I am not refereeing any basketball games tonight, just overseeing the action, so I don't plan on being a hott mess like I was Monday night.

The Body Purification is officially over. I feel amazing! I am so glad that I did it, as yes, I am glad that it is over, but in a way, it isn't really over. The purification was an opportunity to detox from carbs and sugars and basic crap. Now that I have done that, why go back? I said it before, and I will say it again, I am not looking backwards I am moving forwards. Fish and chicken, lentils and wild rice, lots of veggies, that's about it for me. It has to be if I am going to rock this triathlon! And of course my SP complete. When you click on that, look at the ingredients. Then do me a favor compare it with your protein shakes. Many powders are filled with sugars and crap. Seriously. Don't believe me? Check it out for your self.

Inside all of us is HOPE.

But, I wanted you to work out today....

I am determined to be the best swimmer I possibly can be. Better yet, I am determined to have swimming be my strongest leg of the Tri. My sister is swimming every day for the month of February, I so wish I could join in the fun. One of the many hurdles I am facing is that the pool here is only open for lap swim 2 nights a week. Both nights I have programs running for my job at the REC, so making it to the pool one night a week is hard enough. I think this week I am going to shoot for swimming both nights, in spirit of my sister who is finding the time to do more than her share of the swimming.

I am pretty sore today. The last time I swam my obliques were sore, but not today. Today my legs are tight. And by tight I mean absolutely killing me. I think it was more so refereeing basketball than the swimming to be honest. Who knew 2 hours of constant reffing would hurt so bad? Is this an age thing? I used to be able to ref for 8 hours on any given Saturday for a tournament, now look at me.

Today is Tuesday and my plan is to go to the Christian Family Centre every Tuesday to work out, put Bren in the day care there, use the WAVE machine, and all in all enjoy the afternoon. I can't today. I am too sore. I thought, no problem, I will just take a day off to recover and my world will right itself. Little did I know a giant 4 year old boy would be the one who lays into me for not working out today. I guess he really want to go to the day care and play the Wii. Silly me, what was I thinking? Even with his persuasion I have decided to take the day off from any activity. I have the afternoon off of work!! Lunch with boy, and then my attempt to tackle the mountain of laundry that never diminishes no matter how many loads I do.

This is what I am working out to this week, Black Eyes Peas, I Gotta Feeling. Check it out!

http://www.lala.com/#artist/Black_Eyed_Peas

Tomorrow the plan is to hit The Fitness Connection after I am done working. Between 1:30 and 2 assuming all the stars align and I have no issues to tackle! Meet me there. We can race on the EFX.

I am not a super hero. Noted. Never again will I try to be.

The next time I think I am super woman please, please put me in check. I worked out at the gym today, refereed TWO basketball games tonight, then swam for an hour. I am so hungry and so tired. My legs are like jello. I would give you a witty, intelligent, super funny blog post, but I can't. I am exhausted beyond anything I can put to words.

One thing I do want to share is this; I think I should invent a water proof Ipod. I think it would be awesome to swim and listen to music. Thank God I have Teresa to chat with when we take our little breaks.

Good night, I will blog tomorrow.