Photo update

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but today's picture kinda leaves me speechless. We were up early today, off the meet my brother and his family for lunch, so I asked my daughter to take a new picture for me. My mind still hasn't caught up with the mirror..but hopefully one day it will.

The weather is beautiful here in Texas today. I had a great workout at the gym today and we are heading to Six Flags tomorrow morning for some fun! Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

A new week

I totally enjoyed the kids being home for spring break last week, but I am equally excited for them to return to school this morning. I need to get back into my routine to knock these last pounds off.

I had a great workout yesterday and I can certainly feel it this morning. My sweet husband joined me at the gym to show me some new free weight exercises to "beef up" my workout. I'm returning to water aerobics this morning after a week gone (bad Angie).

Eating has been pretty good...we ate pizza over the weekend (not my choice) I felt like I was cheated! Paying $35 for a pizza meal with my family and I didn't even want to eat the junk! They did surprisingly enough have vegetable soup on the salad bar - that was a nice treat. (hopefully it was loaded with too much fat)

I am still in a state of shock over the loss of fellow blogger Bethany McDonald. I never met her, but thought of her as a friend. When I read the news of her passing (thank you for someone posting that) I felt as if I'd lost a friend. We knew each others pain and struggles...we fought the same fight...we struggled with the same obstacles. I am ever so grateful to have known her through her words on her blog...to have stared in her triumphs and short-comings. She was a beautiful soul and will be missed by all she touched in this life.

New month

Hard to believe it's MARCH already!

I did well for February. Met my 5lb loss goal for the month. I wish I would have done better, but since I was sick and entire week, I guess it isn't bad.

I got an awesome heart rate monitor {finally} this weekend. Works great, still learning some of the functions. I hope it's more accurate than the cardio machines at the gym. It shows my calories burned much higher.

This months new goal is to complete the Jillian Michael's 30day shred DVD program. Last night was the first workout. I now know why everyone who has done it - CURSED it!!! It was tougher than I expected, but I completed it (with little modification) It was hard on my damaged knees in some spots and I can't to the jumping to the degree she shows, but we really enjoyed it and my HRM showed I burned 577 calories (not sure if I believe that, but my heart rate was certainly up during all the cardio and most of the strength training).

Some Background

Thanks everyone for all the great advice and suggestions on how to recover from my hip injury and to continue running. Some may already know this, but I feel it is important to give you a bit of background on me.

In 1996 at the age of 21 I was in a REALLY bad car wreck. Both of my legs were crushed. My left femur was shattered and my right leg was broken in 7 places {including the femur also}. I was told I'd possibly never walk again. These weren't my only injuries. I fractured both wrists, my pelvis was broken in 3 places, I had a skull fracture, lost 3/4 of my right knee cap in addition to being impaled by the tilt steeling level and internal injuries.

While I have enjoyed running these past 3 months and am disappointed that my old injuries are now limiting me, I am grateful to be alive and walking and able to do as much as I can now.

My primary form of exercise is WATER AEROBICS - I do 2 classes (110minutes) three days a week. It is my first love and what got me started on this weight-loss journey in May 2009.

I started adding additional land cardio in Sept. 2009 for my off days from my water classes and eventually began weight training also. The weight training has made such a difference for me. I am so much stronger, more toned and just really look forward to hitting the gym on my weight days.

I have been interested in boxing for a couple months and may pursue that a bit instead of the running. I am still kinda brainstorming on what I will replace that goal with...but make no mistake, I am moving forward and not looking back. I am just that kind of gal. I can't be bothered or distracted by what could have been...because I know from my past, that is the beginning of my demise.

all is well

Been a busy week and time has gotten away from me.
Workouts have been great - my friends Jessica joined my gym and we got to workout together yesterday for the 1st time!
Eating has been good. I found out I like cottage cheese this week - LOL I am constantly amazed at how my taste has changed. Now treats or cheats are even healthy things by most standards!

I'm working hard towards my next mini-goal of 100lbs lost...I am only 18lbs. away.

I'll be back later today to post my PERFECT 10 UPDATE!

Sticking with it

Wow does it pay-off to Stick with something, like this new healthier lifestyle!
I woke-up to an AWESOME 2lbs loss for this week - putting me at 80lbs lost {finally}!
I'm so thrilled. I lost 6lbs in Dec. during the first 7-10days of the months - but then hit a standstill and was certainly mentally considering that I might be at that dirty "P' word...so glad to see I was wrong!

Tuesdays Workout:
20 minute run

* couldn't finish my intended workout, as my hip has been somewhat sore and yesterday while running it was just sharp shooting pains.

So I'm gonna lay off a couple days and see how it goes. I was planning to enter a local 5K that Friday is the last day to register for {race day is 2/27}...this has been a big goal of mine. I hate to pay and not be able to run, but I also hate to NOT pay and feel better quickly and wish I could run. Decisions stink

Crazy L.I.F.E.

It was a good weekend, we went out to eat a couple times (I resisted but got over-rulled). I hate going out to eat..I manage it just fine, but it's just not the food I want.

The entire family made it to the gym Sunday morning - that was great as we don't get to do that much with everyones crazy schedules.

Sunday Workout:
2miles on treadmill
45 mins. of weights

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Today was back to business. Food was good. Had to pickup my nephew from daycare, which always throws off our eating times, but life goes one. I'm tired...so keeping it short and sweet!

Monday Workout:
2 water aerobic classes 1hr 40mins.

Perfect 10 update #1

Ok - for my first perfect 10 update:

1. Continue loosing minimum 5lbs. per month - UNDER WAY

2. To be a better blogger - post at least 3x's a week - DID GREAT!
3. Measure inches once a month - DONE

4. Do weights 3 days a week - DONE

5. Continue Daily Food Journal - DONE

6. Start scuba diving again - told my husband I would go for sure this spring!

7. Run at least 3 - 5K's in 2010 - Signed up for the Cowtown Run for 2/27

8. Go to an amusement park with my family - and RIDE the rides!

9. Go to a water park with my family - and WEAR a swimsuit (no t-shirts on top)

10. Complete the entire 9week "Couch to 5K" program - ran all 3 sessions this week

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Workout:

2mile run - 5am
2 water aerobic classes - 1hr. 40mins.

Had a productive day, got my workout done and made up my missed run from yesterdays icy weather conditions. Spending this evening on cleaning out my closet and pitching out old clothes i can't wear anymore. (WooHoo!) Hope everyone has a great weekend!

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Random Fact #2

I am hung up on the number 2. I like everything in even numbers. When I eat I take a bite on the left and then a bite on the right. The TV volume must be on a even number level. Drives my family crazy sometimes (but my teen daughter is just like me-haha!)

Fail.

Woke up at my routine 5am to go workout at my new & awesome 24hr hour gym, only to be contacted my sweet hubby that the roads were a solid sheet of ice and to not dare venture out. We were one of the many areas under the winter storm warning this week and it began raining overnight to compound the problem. So I waited up for him to arrive home from work and enjoyed a cup of coffee and returned back to bed.

I hate days when my workout plans get messed up . I sit around thinking about it all day. Today was my running day. I love running on that awesome new Woodway Treadmill at the gym. I can't run in the house. Dang. I'm kinda OCD you might say...LOL!

Eating was good. Stayed on track calorie-wise, I'm pretty good at that.
Hoping now that it just stays cold overnight tonight and no more rain - so I can be a happy girl at 5am and go run tomorrow what I missed today!

It's the little things

This afternoon my youngest daughter was in the hallway. she was being silly and unusually lovey. She approached me and threw open her arms to hug me.
Afterwards she looked up at me and said "Hey your skinny"...LOL!!

Today's Workout:
lifting weights (1 hour)
2 water aerobic classes (1 hr 40 mins)

Can't believe it!

I WON Steve's Hot 100 Challenge (I got lucky and was picked from the drawing of participants!) As an awesome prize a get a jar of his smoked peppers. I can't wait to taste them and I will certainly be posting about it again!!

Today was the first MONDAY of 2010....Why not Rock it?
As per my typical routine I got the girls off to school and headed off to Water Aerobics.
I did 2 classes today - It was tough - my legs are sore from my new workouts at the gym.
Finished class and came home for a couple hours until off the to the gym to meet with my new trainer. He's a cute lil dude, Casey, all of 24hrs old, nice as can be! He really pushed me and has me upping my weights quite a bit, but I like a challenge! Ran to the store for a few critical items before off to make the round and pick up kids again!

WORKOUT:
2 water aerobics classes - 100mintues
personal trainer session - 30 mins.

Off to bed as 5am will come quickly...my oldest daughter and my hubby plan to workout with me in the morning. Hopefully everyone can get their act together!

Spreading the Word

I want to share with you my new adventure. The Next Challenge from awesome blogger and friend South Beach Steve! Please click the link of the image to go check out the detail and join us in this life changing challenge to a new improved you!

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day eating went fine. I planned to allow myself a few treats. While I was eating I felt like I was doing horrible, but when I came home and wrote it all down...on paper it looks more reasonable than it felt doing!





I am constantly amazed at how my tastes have changed. I'd been dreaming of my mom's fudge, I ate a piece, but it wasn't as good as I remembered, so it was easy to stop at one piece. Same for other treats...some were just not worth the points when it came to taste, so they were abandoned after one bite.





I worked out Monday and Tuesday...but my local gym was closed wed, thur, fri, sat & sun. We got a ton of snow (which is so weird for Texas) so I couldn't go outside like I would normally. I found myself to mentally obsessed and almost mad inside that I could not just go somewhere and workout. I am now seeking to join a 24/7 gym to end this frustration...as my gym has short hours and no Sundays.





I got back in the grove today...up early and went to water aerobics...I loved it, but man it was hard to get motivated since it is still freezing here (literally 26 degrees)! I'm looking forward to hitting the gym tomorrow and getting back to the weights. I cease to be amazed at how my arms are shaping up!

Great weekend

My hubby works odd hours. Friday night (Saturday morning) he arrive home around 6am. When he got in bed it woke me and we got to talking. After about an hour and a half he said he wanted to try the "couch to 5K" running with me. I was happy to say the least, but he wanted to do it right now..LOL! Well, I was already awake for the day, i had promised my teen daughter to take her with me also - so I woke her and off we all went, bundled for our run in 28 degree temps on a early Saturday morning.

It was truly a great. I could never have dreamed 6 months ago when I began this journey we'd all be running side by side like this! They both loved it...and felt like it was challenging them to do their best, but not too tough. I pushed harder of course too because they were with me. I do most workout alone, so it was quite nice to have them along.

That evening we had my nephew for the night. It was his parents annual Christmas party and he got to sleepover for the first time. It was a great day all around!

Fast week - HOT 100 Update

It's been a good week but went by really fast!
Did good on eating ...good on workouts too
I try to mix-up my workout quite a bit to keep my body guessing and me from being bored.

M: 2 water aerobic classes (100minutes)
T: gym - 30mins. cardio, 1 hr. weights (90 minutes)
W: 2 water aerobics classes (100minutes)
Th: gym - 3omins. cardio, 1hr. weights (90 minutes)
F: 1 water aerobic class, 1 mile running at trail (80 minutes)

I guess because we're coming off a holiday week this one flew by for me.
Tonight we are heading out to a local event, "Holly Days"...should be fun, but hoping not to freeze either!

Hope you have a great weekend!!!

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Hot 100 UPDATE

1. lose 5lbs a month - 1lbs so far for DEC.
2. do weights 2x's a week - DONE
3. No crackers/bread for snacks - I've been good this week!

Never been called a cheater!

Yesterday when I arrived to water aerobics class (after a week break) my instructor asked if I was cheating on her! LOL...that's a first. I'd never been accused of such thing - haha!


I attend water aerobics like a faithful worshipper. I never miss classes. I often take two a day. So when 5 days past and she didn't see me, she just assumed I was off visiting around and checking out the competition at other classes..lol.





I informed her I wasn't...I've attended religiously and felt after 6 months non-stop I deserved a week off, so I went on water aerobic vacation! It was nice to be back in my grove yesterday and I'm actually even sore!