Adjusting the Attitude

I know we have all heard that timeless saying that "attitude is everything." Depending on the day your're having, it can be one of those annoying reminders that we need to kick out butts in gear every once in awhile. Yesterday was one of those days I needed an attitude adjustment, atleast when it game to the gym. I was a perfect angel in every other aspect of my day :) I had zero desire to work out. However, if there is one thing I hate, it's wasting time. I have the most random routines down pat that are designed to help me be the most efficient that I can. Yes, I know. I'm weird. I'm told that daily. Anyway, back to workout out and wasting time. Even though I really didn't want to work out yesterday, I did. And I made sure it was a good workout. I didn't want to drag myself to the gym only to put forth minimal effort. Why waste your time if you're not going to give it your all?

Well, today was a different story. I had gotten my first workout of the week out of the way yesterday, so I was in a better mood today. And boy did it show at the gym. Even though I pushed myself yesterday, I found that I was pushing myself even harder today because my attitude was in the right place. Not to mention, there were two insanely fit ladies working out in front of me. Talk about motivation. They were the types of ladies that make you want to hide out in the locker room wearing a Snuggy so they can't see how out of shape you are.

I got a text from my sister this morning saying she had just worked out using the Brazilian Buttlift exercises. And just to clarify, this is the sister that just had a baby 2 1/2 weeks ago. She's crazy. I'm already working hard enough. I don't need my post baby sister showing me up. Uh oh, sounds like I need an attitude adjustment...again.


Oh, and incase you were wondering what those fit ladies looked like, I took a picture and posted below :)

Weekend Shenanigans

Well today's workout was a doozie. In all reality, it didn't go too bad. I was a sweaty mess by the time I left, which is a good sign I worked out hard...I just felt "blah" the whole time. It probably had something to do with the gallons of soda, 2 meals from McDonalds, and an insane amount of pizza that I consumed this weekend.

However, I couldn't have had a better weekend. I got to spend 2 glorious days hanging out with my sister, brother-in-law, my husband (ofcourse), the new love of my life, my adorable little newphew Cort. I'll admit, I've never been a baby person. I'll be the first person to pass on the chance to hold a newborn. When kids get to the goofy laughing phase I'll melt, but babies? Not really my thing...until I met this little bundle of joy. For the first time, I really understood why others love babies so much. I already miss that little guy and can't wait to see him again!

I did manage to share Cort when it was time to bring in the goats. My sister and her husband live on the family ranch and each evening, they have to bring in the goats. Jason jumped at the chance to terrorize me on a 4 wheeler and I jumped at the chance to see exactly what "bringing in the goats" entails. I think I could sum it up into a smelly and dusty mess, that somehow turns into a lot of fun. Yes, I did scream and yell at Jason everytime he took a corner too sharp or went over a potato pile too quick. I don't think you're supposed to have that much fun while "working," but I sure did. I think I could live on the ranch if that was my one job. Other than that, I'm sure I would be an epic fail when it comes to ranching. I think I would try to save every cute baby animal on the ranch. Oh, and Jason caught me waving to a goat. It seemed perfectly normal to me. It was just standing there staring at me, so I waved. I don't know what possessed me to do that, but like I said, it seemed normal at the moment.

While I did spend most of the weekend sitting on the couch snuggling my adorable nephew, I did manage to get in a small amount of exercise yesterday. My little brother went to State for golf, so Jason and I made the trek to Gunnison, CO for the golf tournament. We only stayed for the first 9 holes, but man...that was a lot of walking. I had a blast watching my brother and I was amazed, like truly amazed at how far those kids can hit a ball. (I'm sure I phrased that all wrong, but yesterday was my first encounter with golf, so please excuse my lack of knowledge :) Jason wants to go golfing when we go on our vacation, and I'm tempted to learn how so I can go golfing with him. However, considering I once lost a game of putt putt to a guy that was legally blind, I think I'll pass!

Friday Ramblings

First Ramble: Yesterday, I came across a quote that said, "You can't get much done in life if you only work on the days you feel good." While you can apply this to anything, let's just say it's a good thing I read it because today, I had to apply it towards my workout. I did not want to go to the gym at all. I slept wrong on my pillow last night, my stomach hurt, my office chair was feeling just so comfy. The list could go on about all the reasons I didn't want to go to the gym. Then that annoying little voice in my head spoke up and reminded me of the quote I found yesterday. What a pain in the arse.

Second Ramble: Okay, this probably a little mean, but I'll go for it. At the Colorado Athletic Club-Inverness, where I work out, there are a million little tennis moms running around. They're easy to spot: Perky (or should I say silicone enhanced), perfect nails, and every little dyed hair on their head is in place...even after a tennis game. Well, what cracks me up about these ladies is what they wear when they're in the cardio room...their little tennis skirts. I don't know why it cracks me up so much, but just seeing these ladies run on the treadmill in their micro mini skirts just makes me laugh. However, it got me to thinking. The hubs said I should set mini goals. And ofcourse with goals, you need a reward when you meet a goal. I really hate the workout pants I have, so I'm guessing a new pair would be a good reward for obtaining a goal. I literally have to hyke the pants up Steve Erkel style so I'm not tripping over the legs of the pants. Yes they are that long. Or I'm just that short. Take your pick.

Third Ramble: This has nothing to do with working out, but guess who gets to go and see her brand spankin new nephew? ME!!! I can hardly wait. The count-down is on until I get to meet this little cutie!

Just Call Me A Model

Several days ago, I went home after work and the first thing I said to my husband was, "Honey, I need you to take a picture of me." Some may find it odd that this was the first thing I said to him, but my husband? He looked at me like I had grown another head. The reason? I hate and I mean HATE having my picture taken. I have been known to go to great lengths to avoid the camera (99% of those efforts have failed). So the fact that I not only volunteered, but cheerfully asked to have my picture taken really through the poor guy for a loop.

About a year ago, I came across a video on youtube. I know, a video on youtube? Who knew? Anyhoo, it was actually quite spectacular. A guy had taken a picture of himself every single day for about 20 years (give or take a few years) and then somehow got the pictures to play in rapid succession, almost like a movie...with pictures. It was insanely cool to see, in the course of about a minute, the guy age 20 years. Talk about trippy.

Last month I did something that most people dare to never even think of. I turned the radio off during my morning/evening commutes. Most of the music/D.J's on the radio are crap anyway, so I take this time to think and reflect. So, the other day, I started thinking about the youtube video I referenced previously. And then BOOM...an idea popped into my head. Now, I'll be honest with you, I get many brilliant ideas (atleast I think they're brilliant). It's just the follow through I have issues with, but this idea was too brilliant to get filed into the "I'll complete that when I have more time" file. This is where my wanna-be photographer husband comes in hand.

I bravely asked him to take a picture of me everyday...EVERYDAY. Did I mention I hate having my picture taken? I figured this would be a way cool tool to track my progress. The scale may not move for a week, I may feel fatter another week, but pictures? They don't lie. Not to mention can you imagine how cool it will be to see my weightloss over 1 1/2 years squished into about 1 minute of pictures zooming across the screen? Well, I think it will be cool!

Running & Chocolate

Running and chocolate? Hmm...Somebody please tell me how those two things belong in the same sentence. The first, I believe is a form of torture or punishment. You can blame my dislike for running on my high school coaches. Hey, want to make a kid hate something that is good for then? Oh you do? Okay, then make then run everytime they do something wrong. I'm sure it was effective at the time, but years later I STILL associate running with punishment.

Now onto the chocolate. Uh, yes please! Sign me up. I love chocolate, well dark chocolate that is. You can keep the nasty milk & white chocolate to yourself. Yuck. Anyway, onto the explanation. How do running and chocolate go together. Well, yesterday, one of my co-workers brought to my attention this nify little race called Hot Chocolate 15/5K. Wanting to get a team together for this race, he was asking everyone (everyone being all 4 of us in the office) if they would want to run it. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAH. Oh that got a laugh out of me. I can't even fathom running a 5k in almost two months. Thinking about a 15k is just right up there with running 100 miles through the desert with no water. Then I saw a little glimmer of hope. You can walk the 5k. WOOHOO! I had these big plans on getting my husband to run in the race and have my sister that is living with us walk with me.

Then I noticed one small technicality. Apparently the good people of Ghirardelli (the sponsors of the race) are more into planning than I am. This race isn't until December of 2012. This proposes a big problem. Because in my excitement of entering the race, I had already told my husband about it. So when I told him it wasn't until 2012, he responded, "Perfect! Now you can have time to get in shape and run the 15K with me." Oh yes...just perfect and dandy (high sarcasm alert here).

Actually, I think it's a good goal to work towards. I have a loooonnnngggg ways to go to get my booty in shape. In the past, I have put unrealistic goals upon myself, which resulted in setting myself up for failure. This time I'm taking the smart route: Knowing that losing all the weight I have sitting on my short body is going to take a significant amount of time. However, by next December, I should be WAY closer to my goal and also in significantly better shape. I completely believe that I can do a 15k...with a year to prepare.

So, onto the chocolate. As I mentioned Ghirardelli is sponsoring the race. The post race party consists of a fondue party hosted by them. How...cool...is that??? Like I said earlier, yes please! Not to mention, you get this nifty little jacket. That's enough to convince me!

Socks!

This is going to be a simple post, yet I am sure it will be the most useful one you will ever read. Don't forget your socks when going to the gym...EVER! Because if you do, you will find yourself sporting a massive pair of matching blisters. It's not fun and I do not recommend it. So please, do yourself a favor and don't be an idiot like me and forget your sucks. Nuf said!

Look Who's Back

I'm baaaaaacccckkkkk! For whatever reason, when I said that to myself, I imagined Randy Quaid off of Independence Day saying it. Sad, but true. That guy really is a loonytoone, but anyways. I'm already getting off subject.

I wish I could say I hit my goal and that's why I fell off the face of the earth disappeared, but the truth is, I suck. Okay, maybe that's a little harsh, but let's just say for the sake of time, that I crawled into a little dark hole called "life got hard, so I gave up on myself and ate my way deeper into the hole." Okay, nuf said. Onto the good stuff!

I had a realization the other day that I'm not getting any younger. My 30th birthday is less than 4 months away and if weight is hard to lose now, it's ONLY going to get harder. So, to kick off this fun, I'll start off with a list of why I want to lose weight/get healthy.

1. I'm vain....okay, not completely, but once upon a time I liked to get all dolled up and cute. Now? Let's just say that I'm VERY thankful my husband likes a casual girl with hair in a ponytail and in jeans and a t-shirt. That may be sweet, but I don't feel pretty. And I want to feel pretty dang it!

2. My kid sister just had a baby and at her highest weight at 9 months, well, let's just say I'd kill to be at the weight.

3. I really really really do not want to be overweight and having kids....which means, right now, I really really really don't want kids. And I'd like that to change. Let's face it, an overweight mama is not a healthy mama and that's no bueno.

4. The hubs and I plan on taking a trip in about 2 years, which coincides with about the time we decide to add chaos, I mean children to our lives. And for ONCE IN MY DANG LIFE, I'd like to be the girl on the beach that others envy. Geeze I sound really vain today.

5. Several years ago, my kid sister and I tried to kill ourselves by climbing the Incline in Manitou Springs. That may sound dramatic, but I swear it was death by hiking, yet somehow we lived. How, I'll never know. Anyhoo, I told the hubs about the Incline and now he wants to try it....together...HECK NO. Not...gonna...go...there....atleast until I can beat his sorry butt to the top. Because frankly, I think he think he's a bad a$$ that is going to spring to the top. And I would really really really like to beat him to the top and say boo ya!

6. I have had the same pair of jeans in my closet for I kid you not, almost 7 years. Heck, they've already gone in and out of style probably twice. I would kind of like to wear them.

7. Next summer, my side of the family is taking a vacation to Galveston, TX. While I have no desire to swim in the chocolate milk they call an ocean, I would like to lay out. Not to mention, us kids (I mean adults who act like kids) want to go to a water park for a day. And I would LOVE to go, but there is no way in Hades I'm going to grace my family's presence with me in a bathing suit. No way, nuh uh, not gonna happen! Strangers yes, family, no. End of discussion.

8. And the last reason (yes, I know..most lists have 10 items, but 8 is my favorite number. So deal with it). I just want to be healthy. I don't want to go through my 30's feeling like I'm in my 40's. My 20's flew by and I'm terrified of how fast my 30's will go. I would like to say that when I turn 39 that I can say I did good and I feel great!