The thrill of victory

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First off, Go Gamecocks!  Nice game last night.  Sorry, Tigers.

(Remember, I’m a Cubs and Raiders fan – I don’t get much opportunity to celebrate.)
Hubby and I decided to start a friendly competition.  He joined a gym and focuses on working out there.  I work out at home but join him once or twice a week at the gym. I’m also eating cleaner than he is and having Shakeology every day.  We took our measurements on October 26 as our starting point.  We did not set any particular goals. Well, I did – I wanted to beat him, lol.   Guess what – I did! 

11 1/2″ inches lost overall (neck, chest, waist, hips, arms, and thighs).  YES!  He lost 3″ and immediately said I won because I’d been working longer.  We started on October 26, buddy.  Suck it up and deal!  I love you.  

This is huge for me because he loses weight easily while the scale tends to laugh at me.   That’s alright.  I have what I need to stay motivated and focused:

Shakeology Chocolate Mousse?  Yes, please! 

  • Shakeology – every day.  Breakfast, lunch, lat dinner on crazy days, a snack, or dessert.  
  • A mix of my favorite programs – Tai Cheng, 10 Minute Trainer, Turbo Jam, and Rockin’ Body.   (And some are on sale right now for the holiday weekend).
  •  Nearly-new clothing in my closet that I love and cannot wait to get back into.
  • Visions of a future with less pain and better health.



I know I’ll end 2012 stronger and fitter than the beginning.   What about you?

Until next time, peace.  

October went fairly well.

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Even though it’s the month of Halloween (meaning candy & other tempting goodies), I think I came out of October pretty well.

Straight up, with almond or soymilk, with fruit or
almond butter – this stuff is yummy!

  • I ate clean 80% of the time – which was the plan. 
  • I pushed play at least four days a week – also part of the plan.   
  • I cooked more than I ate out.  But still ate out more than intended.
  • Chocolate Vegan Shakeology daily.  Oh my word is that stuff good!  
  • Less pain all month.  Yay! 
Well, less pain until around midday November 1.  A migraine came on, as expected, but this one is a doozy. I cheated a little, so I’m paying for it in a big way.  I know I should not eat any gluten, but I got lazy/experimental and thought a little wouldn’t hurt.  Meh.  It hurt.  It’s still hurting right now.

And on that note, I need to bring this to a close.  Time for another dose of meds and quiet time.  Peace! 

Early Morning Exercise Person? Not me.

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Exercise, yes  Early morning?  Not so much.
Dream Designs photo.

Yeah, I am not a 5:30-6 am exercise person.  Maybe by 6:30 I’ll be awake enough not to trip over my own feet.  Maybe.

We don’t all have to get moving this early.  I know how I am, and a morning person I am not.  Trying to
force it makes me resentful and ready to quit.  I won’t focus on what I’m doing, but on how much I hate being up and active other than the usual morning thing.

But that’s okay. Knowing that this isn’t my style is okay.  Trying to force it when I have the option of flexibility is not okay.  Making this time my time to reflect and awaken is good.  Having breakfast (Shakeology with almond & coconut butter, ice, and unsweetened almond milk – noms!) and checking my calendar this morning is more my style. I like to ease into my mornings is I can.  The alternative does not bode well.  For me or anyone in my path.

So why am I up this early?  Hubs is starting a new routine and that means I’m starting one, too. I don’t have to like it, but I am supporting him.  So I’m awake for now.  And working a little.  Kinda.  Checking the calendar and completing a little research isn’t going to kill me.  I don’t think it will, anyway.  Ask me again in a few hours.

Oy, I digress.  How did a discussion on morning exercise turn into something about work?  Oh yeah, I’m not completely awake.  Wow.

Anyway, exercise is important to me.  Whether it’s a walk, strength training, yoga, pt, or sweat time with my fav videos, I need it.  Finding the optimal time for me to exercise mindfully is important.  And the early hour wake-up calls are not optimal for me.  I’m a late morning type.  It’s when I’m more functional, so it’s when I need to move.  The mid-morning or early afternoon coffee break is my sweat time.  I fel better that
way and move better that way.  And don’t want to strangle anyone that way.

So here I am, coming out.  I am not a morning person and that’s okay.

Your turn.  When do you schedule your time to move?  There are not wrong answers; just different ones.

The Power of We

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This isn’t my usual type of post, but it is something I think about.  A lot.  I’m a hippie at heart and there is nothing wrong with that.  All we need is love.  Start from that place and the difference will amaze you.

It hurts me to my core to see people torn apart by stupidity and hatred.  I can’t help it.  We as people should have the ability to recognize and celebrate our differences.  We should put aside petty squabbles to help the nation and world heal all year, not just when disaster strikes.  Life should not be an Us vs. Them competition 24/7.   A little competition is good, but come on!

Look at what the power of we can do!  In town, people rallied and adopted over 200 pets from the Charleston Animal Society more than once.  People rallied and helped to find the person who killed two dogs and attempted to kill a third.  Groups come together to clean neighborhoods, build houses, feed others, and so on.  People do not hesitate to give time, money, goods, and good thoughts to help those in need.

We  think of others as our bothers and sisters in need only when they need us.  Let’s try to do it more often.  No money?  Donate time.  No time?  Send good thoughts.  Think you have nothing to give?  Give a few minutes to send good healing thoughts.

More love and less hate.  Hell, less indifference would make the community better.  Don’t think you can save the world?  Don’t reach that far.  Start at home.

Strategic Shopping

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Salvatore Vuono photo.

I am a  huge fan of strategic shopping.  I wasn’t always.  Wandering the aisles aimlessly and grabbing whatever looked good was the old plan.  It explains why I have tons of condiments in the fridge and pantry.  Returning to school, buying a house, rising gas prices, and growing kiddos forced me to re-evaluate and put spending in check.

But the budget does not keep me or the family from eating well.  Coupons, store specials, menu planning, and a stocked pantry make all the difference.  When I shop for produce, I check for sales, but make sure I wander around for goodies.  It’s the only section I wander aimlessly in anymore.

We hit Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, or Earth Fare for my hippie stuff I can’t get in the standard grocer.  Vegan chorizo, coconut milk or almond yogurt, and an assortment of gluten-free baked goods are what I look for.

Big box stores may be the bane of some shoppers, but they are awesome for my budget.  Bulk almond butter, agave nectar (if on the list), and organic produce are ready and waiting at killer prices.  Thank you, Costco!  Ethnic markets are good for the budget, too, but I have to admit I haven’t visited one in a while.  I have to see if I can score gluten-free soy and hoisin sauces.  (I cannot believe how much i miss hoisin sauce! Okonomiyaki is just not the same without it.)  

How do you shop?

And on that note, I need to get to making my shopping list.  Off to check Southern Savers for this week’s coupon match ups!  Peace, all.

Semi-Wordless Wednesday: Raw Goodness

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Oh man has it been a while.  I’ll cover where I’ve been in another post since today is about less words and more pics.  So here’s one pic of my fab lunch and (hopefully) tomorrow’s breakfast if hubs doesn’t love it):

It’s is the Save the Tuna Salad from KrisCarr.com.  It’s nummy!  It’s my first seed and nut-based tuna salad and I think I have a new favorite.  Of course I had to add more pickles and celery than the recipe calls for, but that’s just how I roll.  And since gluten is a no-no, I had it over romaine with tomatoes from the garden and cukes.  Want some?  I might share, but it would be better if you just made your own.  Cuz that’s how I roll when I’m sleep-deprived and sore.

So much for semi-wordless, eh?  Jeez.

Peace, all.