Currently and Updates

Whoops - apparently I needed some time off.  Professionally its just been a busy Summer and frankly that has taken up all my energy.

Slowly I do mean slowly at its been over a year now my back has been healing. I go more and more time between flareups.

My mom, who's getting up there in age - she was 73 her last birthday. Every time I get that call I worry shes done major damage - thus far its just been bumps and bruises.

My daughter is suppose to leave next week for college. Shes obtained family housing for her and my grandbaby.  She will be almost 3 hours away so I am nervous as all hell, but its time she finally gets her ass in gear. She will be 24 in 2 weeks!

I had a few car repairs to do - I got my AC recharged and Friday before last, my muffler got tired of hanging on so it got replaced.

Even not being able to workout I dropped 10 lbs that I had found when I first hurt my back - here's hoping to being able to being able to workout again regularly soon.

After having to wait forever because life kept happening I FINALLY got my 4th tattoo:

It is a path of life tat on my left wrist. Several people have asked what it "means" it is representative pf an infinite number of possibilities and expression of love. It illustrates life's twits, turn, and unexpected winds. One side is is heavier than the other that is referred to as a twisted loop and the fact that there are more than one twists incorporates the cooperation of two or more parties unifying for life. Which can mean marriage, friendship or an alliance.

I have to admit while being in the middle of having this one done, talks were happening planning the next one...

I will attempt to blog more often, August perhaps maybe hit or miss with the whole get the Kiddo off to college.  I have a girls trip planned to St. Louis over Labor Day - after that things should start to even out.

What are your end of summer plans??

WOOOHOOO Its Monday!!!

Yes that is how I greet Mondays when I cam coming off of being on call!  Its not that being on call is a really major. It just stresses me out and you can't really do anything that week. I have stay near my phone at all times and near an internet connection within 10 minutes.  I did grab my laptop and head to a friends Saturday evening for awhile.

Anyone watch the ACM's last night?? I started to about an hour into the show and then my AT&T uverse box muted itself.  The only way to fix that is to reboot the damn thing and I couldn't do that while it was recording. So D played GTA5 and I read. Nothing like the sound of automatic weapons on a Sunday night LOL.

I have recently started a new eating plan, or method - that just sounds strange- called If It Fits in Your Macros. Good lord talk about turning everything you eat into a science fair presentation before you eat it LOL..  Its basically a break down of carbs, fat, and protein you eat anything you want as long as it fits into your macros.  Its the formula that a lot of the body builders use to tone up and lean out.

Honestly that is why I started looking into it. I want to focus on toning up.  I am not looking to get bulked up but toned. So I am trying this out along with lifting and shredding workouts. I connected with a IIFYM group for women and the lady who runs it gave me a break down on what I need to do, what I need to eat and a plan. So here goes!!

I did find out that I wasn't eating enough daily which is why nothing is really changing. WOW talk about an eye opener, generally you hear eat less move more.... Except if you are eating right around what your body burns daily just to function - then you add activity well you eff up your metabolism.  I never thought I would actually say this, but its not easy trying to eat all that daily!!! Sure if I go have a burger and fries I have hit my calorie goal but my macros are all screwed and later I will be hungry. The goal is to eat healthy nutritional foods - when you start doing that it feels like you're eating 24 7.

Goals for this week -

Get a better handle on the macro eating
Workout 4 times this week


What are YOUR goals for the week???


Not that this really fits todays post, except I did mention the ACM's - but I just saw this on line and I love it!!

Have a GREAT Monday!

Happy Monday .... 37 Days til Spring

Yep Happy Monday - trying to keep a positive outlook .. Try it, you may find it working...

37 day's til Spring - I will say I hope Mother Nature and Old Man Winter got the memos.. I've been cold and snowed in far to long now. Today is another work from home day since my complex did not bother to remove the 2 inches of fresh snow we got yesterday, hell they didn't even salt. So my low to the ground car tried and tried this morning but would not, cold not get up the small hill. Thankfully I am in a position to work from home. Though I am really now lusting after 4 wheel drive or all wheel drive.

This weekend was fairly quiet just chilling at the house, reading and catching up on the DVR. Sunday we did venture out to get groceries before the the snow dumped again.  Yes it was only 2 inches - but that's on top of the 14 that was already out there and the freezing temps. I did however hear a rumor that soon warmer temps are on the way!! I'm sure D will happy when I am not running the fireplace almost every night. Its a gas fireplace and I am sure when I light it his brain just starts thinking cha ching over and over until its turned off. That and he says it makes him too warm. At least its made it to 11 degrees - its noon but its 11 degrees LOL.

My cough that was left from having the flu is finally subsiding so I am hoping to get back into my workout routine this week.. Why is is so hard to get back into the swing of things when you have been resting for 3 weeks?? I am already sitting here thinking "I don't wanna". I know that it will be easier once I "just do it". I was in a really good pattern until I got sick. I was working out 5 to 6 days a week.. Now to get back to there..

Best pic of the weekend: He rarely gets to chill on my bed...

Have a great Monday Y'all!!

I Got it From My Mama

Weight has always been an issue in my family.. The only female on my mother's side of the family that was small framed and didn't have a weight issue was my Mamaw.  Out of all my sisters and my niece I am the smaller framed, tiniest female.

Staying that way however is a struggle. One thing I have going for me is that I am fairly active. I do workout as apposed to just watching whats going in my yap or taking the latest diet pill on the market regardless of side effects. I grew up watching my mother try every fad out there. We won't EVEN talk about the 2 weeks she was on the cabbage soup diet that was therapy inducing..

She also was on FenPhen and is to this day pissed its off the market. Health inducing issues be damned - when I mentioned to her that it was killing people he said I'd rather be dead than fat.. Come to find out Mamaw was on some major drugs for weight management as well - in her defense it was the 50's when it was given out like tic tacs when she become addicted and no one then treated the addiction.

Is it any wonder ALL of us girls have body issues?? None of the role models have been healthy ones.  Each looking for a quick fix - my Niece even went so far as gastric bypass and lost a shit ton of weight in months - however she fixed none of her issues and although shes not morbidly obese anymore she has put back on a fair amount of what she paid to have take off.

I will admit to taking supplements to get over a plateau and kick start things but I am never on them for very long and don't consider them a fix. The only thing that is a fix is what you eat and how you move. You can't not get lasting results without that partnership.

I get it. I do however get pissed at times that I do have to watch what I eat and I have to workout or the smallest cheat sticks around. If I am not careful I scrap it all in frustration and end up starting over.. That I also get from my mama and years of bad examples...

Work Bitch

Yesterday was leg day - so yes it hurts to sit to potty - y'all know what I am talking about!!

Love this song - its great for working out - I just wished they would not have photoshopped her. I think she looks great without the help and honestly its a bit hypocritical to say "you want a hot body then work bitch" and then have your editor digitally enhance your video...

Another picture that has gone viral that is causing a ton a hate is this one...

Word out is that people have decided this image is "fat shaming" - yeah not so much. What it IS doing is calling out excuses because everyone has a fricken metric shit ton of them. Myself included.  She's, Maria King , and calling attention to the fact EVERYONE has the same 24 hours in day. 

The "I am mom and am busy" line should not be what you use to keep yourself from being healthy. She's saying I have 3 kids AND take the time to get fit and healthy AND so can YOU.  I will take it one step further and say if you are a mom, you do not have the luxury of NOT being healthy - you have kids who depend on you and very state of health for their well being.

Yep its hard work, yes getting started in intimidating - but you CAN do it. Start with making one healthy decision a day and build on that format. Soon most of your decisions will be healthy ones and you will be amazed at how things are changing. How much energy you have to play with your children, how your clothes fit. 

Even how your children start to make their choices. When they see you reaching for better food they want better food because you have it. We all know they HAVE to have what mommy does - so when you have fruit instead of Cheetos they want an apple too. 

A little food for though. 

Where Wednesday feels Like Monday ............. AGAIN

So I took a poll and I am not the only one who feels like the weeks are getting more and more stressful and jam packed.. What is going on here??

The past few weeks the end of each day comes and I am exhausted and feel like I have been through the ringer... I have made a to do list and the thing that has been scratch off it ........... you guessed it make a to do list!!  Busy is good - it really is but can we scale down from Mach 5 to Mach 3 pretty please??

In looking at the calendar I have discovered this weekend is my last chance to go find a prom dress, so my quiet do nothing weekend has been preempted.. I will be hitting the thrift stores searching for tacky 90's prom wear!  I am looking forward to this 5K.. Nancy from The REAL Nancy Clue will be coming into town for this one and I am totally stoked to see her! That alone will be worth the fact I am not prepared for this at all!

I had my rest day yesterday so tonight back to the gym. I think I need to find something new to work on - I always hit the treadmill for 30 mins then the weights. I don't maybe I need to stop using the gym at the complex where I live and join a real gym and check out a personal trainer for a session or two.

I have recently started using Plexus Slim supplements to jump start me off the plateau I had hit and thus far are liking the energy I get from it. I have issues with a lot of the drink mixes as they cause instant migraines - I am thrilled this one does not. I am excited to see what the results are..  Anyone interested in Plexus let me know and I can get you information on what it is and what it does as well as get you in touch with my girl, Leslie.

Yesterday's Transformation Tuesday pic. 

Good food - Bad Food - Set meals - Grazing... What IS the answer??

Is it any wonder everyone is confused on the "formula or Secret" to losing weight and getting fit? It seems like every day there is another study out that disproves something we were told was "the" way to to do it just a year or so ago. The latest - Milk is bad for your bones - no shit that is the latest word.

There is NO secret - its basic math calories in, calories out (expended). 3500 calories make up 1 lb its your choice if its coming or going.

I do like that Shape magazine has an article on the myths and fads of dieting.
(http://www.shape.com/weight-loss/weight-loss-strategies/10-unbelievable-diet-rules-backed-science#080713) I am not a breakfast eater never have been, probably never will be. I'm sure that next year something else will come out and say the opposite of this article, but for now I am glad to see that I am not "killing" my metabolism by skipping the Grape Nuts (ewww).

Honestly you have to figure out what works for you and go with it. What my "key" to it all may not be your key. I have learned I can't just eat 1200 calories a day and be productive much less nice.  I can't label foods good or bad - as soon as I do I abscess about the "bad" food list until that is ALL that I want. For me food is food, now some of it I can eat more than something else.

I've also learned the scale is NOT a good indicator of where I am at - my jeans are.. Since I am working on sculpting muscles the scale isn't helpful - the tape measure and how things fit are a better indicator of progress for me.

Yes you will have ups and downs and yes you will find that something that worked at the start of your journey doesn't in the middle. Things are always evolving, but generally you have to try something and see if it works for you - someone else go to formula just may not be yours.

Randoms

 July has hit Kansas City with a vengeance. Today's high is 97 with a heat index of 103 - though I will take that over 20 degrees and 2 feet of snow any day!

This week we started Eating Clean. We are going with that whole 80/20 theory. 80% of the time we will be eating clean and 20% we can splurge.

Last night I made a Chicken Chop Salad that was awesome. I was hesitant going in because there are sweet potatoes in it. I am not a huge fan - though I will say its probably because growing up I though they only came out of cans, were baked to an inch of their life and had marshmallows burnt on top of them ;-)

Everything in that is clean, even the dressing which I made from scratch. It was even better this afternoon for lunch at work. 

Tonight we are doing Cheese Ravioli in a bell pepper sauce.

In the last 2 week both D and I got new phones after ours gave up the good fight and begged to be retired. Since then we have both had voicemail issues which no one can figure out. D's off today so he is headed into the store to see if he can figure out whats what. I will say thankfully mine are still coming to the phone. My visual voicemail just won't work. D's voicemail is so broken that he gets a message that his box doesn't even exist.

I have a random bruise that showed up on the top of my hand, no earthly clue what I banged into I just know its sore as hell.

This song is stuck in my head - has been for 3 days now.. I'm still trying to get past the fact Alan Thicke is his dad....

Looking forward to hitting the gym after work tonight... 

How is your Tuesday??? 

Weekend Shenanigans!

Wow Monday again, already .. its a super short week for me so I'll make the best of it. I am off Thursday and Friday. 

Friday I left the office early and hit the gym.  I have been hitting the treadmill for interval training and lifting. Loving the results from the lifting even though I just started a few weeks ago I already see a difference.

Got cleaned up and hit the local Mexican place for a good taco salad - minus the shell ;-) and hit Gtown to catch up with friends and family.  

Saturday I got up with a headache took some meds to get that down to a dull roar then hit the gym again.  Saturday night found us at an annual find raiser a friend of mine holds calls Muggs for Juggs - it benefits the Susan G Koman Foundation 3 day walk. Its always a great time and this year was no exception.. There was an added treat of bagpipes being played by a few local firemen. Gotta love a firemen in a kilt..

Sunday we got up and had a quiet morning then I hit the nail salon for a much needed mani. After that it was off to the Plaza for a walk, Starbucks and a stop at the MAC store, I was out of my favorite eye shadow.  

Weekend Wrap Up

I had planned a fairly quiet weekend at home closet cleaning, but in the spirit of being spontaneous and coming from a place of yes when I got the text from my sister in law about lunch and hitting the flea market I texted back YES.. Besides everyone knows cleaning closets SUCKS!! Yes I know it HAS to be done but why do today what I can put off until the end of time?  

So we met up and went down to the New York Dawg Pound - where I indulged in a wonderfully chili cheese dog with fries.. YUMMMM awesome hot dog. We then got back in the car and headed bargain hunting with my oldest nephew along. In between stops he gave Auntie an education (hes almost 6 and I now need to go get my highlights redone to cover the grey) kids pay more attention to whats on TV than you think, lets leave it at that because drinking straight vodka at 11:54 am isn't cool LOL.

I was expecting more of a swap meet type environment, when did flea markets become so boutiquey?  I liked some of the things there but it was like walking on to a 3d Etsy store.  I guess I am used to the flea markets that are set up on a parking lot somewhere under a bunch of tents. I saw some really cute things but nothing I couldn't live without so I left it all there - plus I still have closets that need overhauled LOL.

After that we headed to the Cold Stone Creamery where I not only proceeded to order the Founders Favorite I ate that sucker in a chocolate dipped waffle bowl!! I ate the whole fricken thing with the exception of half the waffle bowl. After that I went home and napped for awhile.

After my nap D and I met my sister in law and both nephews at our favorite Mexican restaurant for dinner where I again proceeded to eat like the concepts of calorie counts did not exist .. Oy Vey it was good..

Sunday came and I work up about 4:45 with a migraine (sodium overload anyone??) So I pretty much took it easy until the afternoon when D and I hit the store to stock up for the week.

D went to a friends house to video game it up for a few hours and leave me to the quite house and a throbbing head. I watched some TV then decided hurting or not I HAD/NEEDED to get a work out in. I started with the squats I needed for the challenge 70 of them by the way then headed into Shred.  About 10 mins into the shred the fog lifted and I started feeling better (also when I layed down for the abs my back popped in every way possible ahhhh relief!) Gotta love endorphin's - natures pain pill!


Today its back on track and a big ass salad for lunch - there's no counter attack for the way I ate this weekend BUT there is getting back on the wagon and not slashing  the other tires simply because I got a flat.. Cheers!!!

Its Ok Thursday

that I finally got to sleep after 1 am last night/this morning then was up at 6:30
that I stopped at the gas station this morning for energy pills
that I just don't get why Duck Dynasty is popular
that I took a break from working out last night
that I totally want Botox and new boobs
that I really love this performance... and her Bindi

Doing a reboot

Sometimes you just have to pull a reboot... Today starts my reboot before things go to out of hand and I have to reset to factory settings :-)

I have gotten off track - there were a few busy days I let things slide, then it was I'll restart Monday, then it was well this coming weekend I have _____ added to I'm too tired/busy/not feeling a workout.. then bam the jeans are starting to fit tighter..

So before this completely derails I am just pulling a restart. I started logging foods on My Fitness Pal again this morning. Tonight I am dusting off 30 day shred... ugg I hate the shred - but its effective and fast AND what your supposed to do before Ripped in 30 so I'll bust a week or so of it out and move to Ripped faster. Sorry Jillian shred just laggggggggggggssssssssssss so bad I want to poke your eyes out..

I really need to get everything coordinated to get the treadmill from my moms - maybe this coming weekend.. I'm also skipping lattes for the next week or two and sticking to just hot tea and water. I also plan to pull some clean eating menus out and see what I need from the store.

Summers coming (on day I freaking hope!!) and I am not hiding in jeans this year...

Starting this May 1st 

Fitbit and Earnedit

At Christmas The Hubs gave me a fitbit One - LOVE LOVE that thing.. Shortly after I received the fitbit heard about Earnedit and signed up linking my Fitbit to my Earnedit account.

Earnedit gives you points for working out which can be redeemed for fitness type stuff OR you can redeem the points for Charities.  Which is what I used mine for - since Christmas I have sent care packages to the Troops who are deployed and given 2 girls in Kenya 3 months of vocational training.. All from just working out with my fitbit on.

If you have a fitbit I urge you to check out Earnedit  http://earnd.it/WoC7wE

In 128 more points I'll be sending more care packages to the troops - such an easy way to pay it forward...

Its Ok Thursday

That I broke out the white jeans and white canvas keds early so I could wear my mint green and white cardigan.

That I want to crawl under my desk and nap - and its only 8:45 am  (been woke up early 2 days in a row).

That I am looking forward to my day off tomorrow - bring on 70+ degree weather and pedicures please!

That I bought new flip flops for this summer already.

That I love the links that show what the rich and famous look like BEFORE someone photoshops the shit out of their pictures.

That I have not worked out once this week. Don't get me started on the clusterfuck that has been this week.

That I dropped my first fbomb in a long time on here - hell I do it daily in real life why the hell not here.

That I have SO fricken much to do after all the tech issues this week that I have no clue as where to begin with it. - So I better just begin..

Tone 'em Tuesdays

Back at it.. For the past few weeks I have really just been relying on what I do in a normal day - which is generally is walking about a mile for general every day life.  I have still been watching what I eat (ok except last week - that was a regular fat girl in paradise) but haven't been super active.  Last night I hit the treadmill and weights again.  Tonight I have a date with Jillian. I am restarting Ripped in 30 because well its my favorite.

When I went grocery shopping Tuesday nothing but healthy hit the cart and I brought home a ton of veggies. I'll roast those tonight and quick stir fry some lean pork and have a pork and veggie stir fry over brown rice.

Last nights try something new (I get so bored with dinner because its all the SAME day after day) was cheesesteak stuffed green peppers and salad - these were a HUGE hit and will become a regular. I found the recipe on Pinterest and adapted it a tad I used thin cut eye of round steak instead of that processed steakums crap.  A pepper half is only 190 cals.

Odds and ends

Yes, I am aware I have used that title nbefore - I kinda like it better than ramblings..

Digging the song  Thrift Shop By Macklemore and Ryan Lewis - its got a catch beat to it.

(By the way its not edited! So FYI if you are at work or have small ones around)


I know its just Tuesday but its been a LONG week already LOL.

Haven't been working out lately - explains the stress level.

Stopped smoking - also explains the stress level.

Apparently I have offended some and they have decided to unfollow - I'm sorry you were offended however, I never claimed to be the following: A Mommy Blogger (my "child" is 21 and has her own baby - lil man"), a complete fitness blogger - I post little of everything, a blogger with a clean month and prim sense of humor - I grew up on military bases I can out cuss a sailor and I find strange shit funny, I have always been a tad left of center marching to my own drummer. I am in my mid to late 30's (yeah you do the math and figure out how my kid is 21 LMAO and am to old to do the 20 something thing, but to young to retired and behave so I am what I am.

I am not offended you decided to leave - I'm not everyone's cup of tea - that's cool .. Namaste'

WOW What a Weekend

I'd call for a mulligan but I'm afraid it would get worse..

Friday night we just chilled at home with a pizza and a Redbox rental and  fixed The Hubs laptop - his browser had been hijacked by a search engine tool bar (nasty ass things).

Saturday evening we went to my sister in laws to chill hang up friends and play video's - was going really well until 10:20 pm when I got a call from my mom saying she had fallen and needed help. I made a 20 minute drive in about 10 minutes. Got home (she was at my house watching lil man) and she had fallen keeping lil man from falling through the gate dividing the kitchen and living room.

Her glass are bent to hell and back - they have cut her face pretty good - she had to have 9 stitches - right by her eye, and her eye is black. Honestly it looks like she went 5 rounds with Mike Tyson.

Sunday I ran mom's car back to her (I had to driver her to the ER in her car, mine sits to low for her) then headed to my office for a few hours of work.  Then just vegged - I'm wore out.  I should have cleaned house but meh - just did not have the energy - I had picked up a little on Saturday so that's just going to have to do - I am positive no elf is going to sneak and do it so it will be waiting for me.

I have not gotten a workout in all weekend - back at it Monday.

How was your weekend??

Questions I have been asked a lot lately

Q: What workouts do you do?
A: In no particular order: treadmill, yoga, pilates,  the following Jillian Michaels DVD's; - yoga meltdown, Ripped in 30, 30 day shred,  extreme shed and shred. Playing with my grandson and nephew's.

Q: Whats on your workout playlist?
A: HA this question made me realize how trashy/angry my play list is. However those are the songs that get my feet moving so it is what it is, in random order a small sample:

1.  Play - David Banner
2. 2 Fingers David Banner
3. Funhouse P!nk
4. Crazy Bitch - Buck Cherry 
5. Breaking Dishes - Rihanna
6. Blow Me (one last kiss) P!nk
7. You Outta Know -  Alanis Morissette 
8. Crutch - Theory of a Deadman
9. Jar of Hearts - Christina Perri
10. Slut Like you P!nk
11. For your Entertainment - Adam Lambert 

Q: Whats your secret in losing weigh?

A: SHHH don't tell anyone .... there is no secret - I have had the same person ask me the same question more often than I can count - Honestly you have to watch whats going in your mouth and move your feet! That's IT that's THE secret. 

Q: What do you do with your clothes that are now to big?
A: They are sitting in bags to go to Goodwill.

Q: Whens your next 5k?
A: In March, I am participating in the Diva Dash which is the ONLY all women 5k. Its a charity race that benefits girls self esteem programs in the area.

Q: How often do you work out?
A: I aim for 3 or 4 nights a week

Q: Whats your favorite gadget?
A: My Fitbit One


Anything you would like to ask?? Sound off in the comments or shoot me an email.

It's Ok Thursday

To cuss winter while you are scraping off your windows every single morning

To be totally in love with your new Fitbit

To Dream about your next tropical vacation a full 2 years before your planning to take it

To be digging through last years emails and sorting them

To turn the heater up so you can run around in shorts

To be thrilled to workout with no knee pain for the first time in ages

To say NO and mean it when asked to do something you'd rather not

To not feel guilty for the above

The week wrap up

WOW what a week.. I knew it was going to be I just didn't know HOW much of a week it was.

Let me back up to Thanksgiving...  Had a blast with the fam. I did watch what I ate but I ate what I wanted if that makes sense.  Then I vegged out with my SIL (ok hid out from the football, back in her bedroom) ...  watched tv, shopped on line and scoped the BF (Black Friday) ad's for the next day.

For the first time ever I actually did shop BF. I went to Kohl's and made a killing. I managed to get a little over $600 in clothes (for me :-) I really needed them) for a little over $200 and I got $65 in Kohl's cash AND they mailed me a 20 % off coupon for this week - so I am headed there tonight to finish up.

The rest of the weekend was uneventful, I cleaned the heck out of my house and got some order restored there and pretty much thought I was getting ready for the next week. 4 am Monday morning however found The Hubs and I in the ER where he was admitted to the hospital where he stayed until last night. Glad to have him home now!!

Wednesday I hit my goal weight... It took a few hours for me to realize this however with everything that was going on. I weighed that morning added it to the groups weight for the holiday challenge then a few hours later I went HOLD ON A SECOND.. I MADE GOAL WOOHOOO!!!!!

My knee is doing wonderfully so I am gearing up to start actually working out again, my goal now is to be toned.  Jillian Ripped in 30 here I come!!!

Yesterday I got the presale code for concert tickets .... not just any concert BON JOVI!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have wanted to see Bon Jovi live since I was 15 years old ... so this is one of those bucket list things. I am beyond excited, I am like one of those little chihuahua dogs who's gets so excited to see you they pee on your foot.  The concert is not until April so I can see the excitement level only going up from here.

This weekend I am hoping to just chill - I am at the level just above exhausted and need some downtime.  What are your weekend plans??