Champagne Toast!

I do owe both of you a little champagne or maybe a lot -- it will depend on when we meet.  Oh Jessica -- you do crack me up with your purchases.  I did know about the Zumba shoes -- but hadn't really thought of purchasing such a thing.  But now that we are on the subject......  At the shoe show last week we visited the Skechers booth and I got a little education on the Shape-Up line.  You know the shoes that help you shape up while you walk.  I will say all along I have thought it was a complete farce.  I have slightly more respect after hearing about the technology.  I walked around in a pair in the showroom.  I certainly don't think you are going to get in shape from wearing them -- but I do think they could strengthen some leg muscles if you did a lot of walking in them.  There are multiple styles with all sorts of different features.  Now word on the street is the Reebok ones are better --but haven't checked them out yet.

I have worked out already today.....Me and Jillian Michael's.  I do have to recommend her DVD, 30 Day Shred.  It's a little intense, but good.  As I mentioned before there are 3 levels -- I did #1 today and the first part of #2.  Let me say this -- you will need time to work up to the higher levels.  :)

I do appreciate the encouraging words -- I am focusing on not beating myself up.  I bet you are right on the fact that I worked out more this time than on any other time.  So there is still a victory!  I'm actually thinking of working out twice tomorrow......  Spinning in the morning and pilates after work.  Also my running group starts this week.....OMG!

MM   ---   Happy Valentine's Day to all!

SHOES

I met my run club for a "winter workout" on Thurs, and couldn't find my running shoes! How can one (adult) lose shoes? I guess I need to go buy new ones. :) On Fri I joined a group for the Zumba experience (my Z, BTW, Mel - will post pics when I receive!) and were you aware that there are special Zumba shoes? And I do own spinning shoes, if you decide to stick with that. My point is that we need to look at the bright side of this experience - yet another reason to go shopping!

Melissa - I am glad that you are home for awhile, and while you feel like you "failed" (and owe me champagne! LOL!) I am amazed at how much you did accomplish. I know how hard it is traveling, and we all need to figure that out in our lives, b/c it is a big part of it. You did great with as much as you were gone, and I hope maybe more than you did last year during this hectic month. That is a WIN! The big thing is that you are picking up and moving on! I will toast to that!

"Some of the best lessons we ever learn, we learn from our mistakes and failures. The error of the past is the success and wisdom of the future."
(Tyron Edwards).

Home Sweet Home!

Alright I'm back from the Vegas/NYC tour.  I'm gonna lay it on the line -- I failed.  Now I'm going to practice the thing that has made me successful at weight loss, at work and in life in general.  I'm not going to quit -- I'm going to get right back on the plan.  Perseverance is a virtue.

None the less I will share my confession to allow closure to my shortfall.  I travelled to Vegas on a flight Sunday at 6:55am.  I then spent every waking moment with my boss.  A delay gave us a short layover -- so I did walk briskly, but not sure that it qualifies.  We shopped when we go there and I swear, I took every set of stairs that were in existence at both the airport and in Vegas.  In fact I inspired Patti to do the same. (perhaps that should count as extra credit)   On Monday I got up early and ran outside -- 4 miles, the longest I've been in months -- including several stair climbs.  Also walked nearly 2 miles in addition to shop and purposely walked to try and make up for the guilt I was feeling about the prior day.  Tuesday -- again got up and ran 4 miles before our appointments.  Wednesday, another 7am flight, straight to the hotel and then appointments.  Then straight to dinner --- with drinks of course.  Exhausted when I got back to my room at nearly midnight.  Thursday......just exhausted.  I walked as much as I could, but did not have dedicated time to workout.  Friday, more of the same including a flight back to Duluth.  It was very challenging and frankly I just planned too much social stuff and couldn't fit in time to workout.  I let myself down -- which I regret, but learned I can't do everything and I should take care of myself first.

So today I was back at it.  Went running outside.  I am now home for 3 weeks straight -- so I am certain this was just a minor setback.

JW -- proud of you for getting up out of bed to workout and love the irony of reading a book about the focus needed to be an Olympian.

JL -- how did the meetings go?  How did the dress look?  We need a picture!

Space Cadet!

I was sooooo tired on Sat but had to get up and head an hour away for a basketball tournament. We got home late afternoon (luckily we did not head to IL as planned) and I immediately had a big ol' nap until 7 pm! Then I lounged and was reading my book . . .until I remembered that "uh oh, I did not exercise yet today!" So yes, I put my book down (not immeditately mind you, I let the guilt fester for awhile) and at 8:49 pm headed down to my treadmill.

The ironic thing is that I was reading (not sure why, but I was) Apolo Ohno's biography about how mentally focused he was and how crazy strenuous his exercise regiment was in getting ready for the Olympics. See, I like to READ about nutrition and exercise - doing it is a whole other thing!

JW

It's Good to Be Back!

Well peeps -- I'm back from my offsite.  It was horrific for my diet, but I eked out the exercise.  There were some close calls --- whew!  Monday I couldn't do an early workout because I had to be at work and actually working by 7am -- then meetings solid till 4:30pm.  Then jump in the car with a visitor to head to our offsite.  50 minutes to myself when we got there before dinner and cocktails.  I raced to my room and changed and got a 2.5 mile run and a short walk to hit my 30 minutes.  Tuesday -- got up early and hit the treadmill like a normal person.  Tuesday night stayed up way too late and had too much wine.  Ditto for Wednesday night.  But.......on both days I took 30 minutes out of our lunch hour and walked on the treadmill.  And I have never done that.  I just couldn't let myself go down.  Especially in such a lame way! Got home Thursday night -- rested and was at my 6am spinning class on Friday as normal.

Now I am off to Vegas tomorrow on a 6:55am flight....with my boss.  Then straight to NY on Wednesday -- it's gonna be rough!  So everyone send me good thoughts so I can overcome this trip and stay on my streak!

3 weeks down!

Well it's the end of the 3rd week and I've pushed myself to get my 5 days workouts in the beginning of the week vs. draging it to the end of the week. It worked and today I am getting a massage instead of working out. At one point this week I thought i would try to workout 7 days but my family took me out for my birthday and decided not to exercise that day but satyed on my diet that night, so it's a 5 days this week! The accountabilty is really working on keeping me focus with this challenge. Thanks!
I am away this coming week for business and I am worry about fitting in the 5 days but I am committed to do it. I have to wear my Dress on Thursday night and have included the Dress story into my speech on Tuesday. I am staring to see the benefits of exercising but something is holding me back again from going all out! I need to ask Susie the next time I talk to her.
The one thing that has been helping me get to the gym is that I always have my gym bag in my car and try to go before I go home at night. My husband has been very supported.
Maybe when we are slim and fit in the spring we can all go away somewhere warm to celebrate!
Jodie

A first!

I survived my first round of travel, and I have to say that it was honestly a FIRST, after all of these years, of exercising every day. I would NEVER have gotten up so early to do whatever even a month ago. Always good intentions, but this honor system is very powerful. It was hard (I wanted to sleep!) but I made it through the days, and as I said everything for me then falls in to place. First time I ever (at least in recent memory) that I honestly food journaled every day (is that a word?). Never perfect on the road, but made concious, good decisions. I was even carrying around some white chocolate at the Toronto airport (where I was stuck for hours) but had the power to put it back and found a protein bar! (I know, not great, but better choice!)

Next challenge . . . weekend! Kicks off with scrapping for a few hours with friends tonite (read, snacks) , b'ball tourney (read, crap food), to Brian's for Nate's b'day (read, cake) and then Superbowl party (read beer, and more!).

I am tired and weak minded right now, but knowing my "peeps are watching" I can do it! Exercise three times: not so hard! :)

GO STEELERS!
Jessica