Sporadically Sandra

So, when it comes to food and drink, it should be no surprise to anyone that I have many loves. I love cheese, chocolate, ice cream, Frostys, Mexican food, pasta, cake, cookies, soda, chocolate milk; the list could go on and on.

One drink, in particular, that I love is Propel. A Propel a day keeps me from being mean, ensures I will get at least 3 servings of water a day and is just plain delicious. It seems everyone has their own preference for flavored water and mine is, most certainly, Propel, strawberry kiwi flavored.

I typically buy a case from Walmart and keep it at my desk at work so I can have a propel every day. And then, something bad happens: I run out and have no time to buy more.

That has happened to me this weekend. Goodness, what a horrible thing to happen. But, because I am shameless and I love Propel, I hunted down a dollar to get a Propel. But, in return, I owe someone something for that dollar.

Without further ado: Jason made me write this line

And I have to say, the Propel was totally worth it.

So at the beginning of March I made some goals. Let's review them, shall we?
Enjoy my Anniversary! - Easiest Goal ever. See previous Anniversary post to see how much fun we had on that!


Hike a Local Park - Never did this. Between injuring myself, rainy weekends and not having time, it never happened. *But* I did tour Turner Field, which I feel should almost count.

Continue with C25K - Back to the darn injury. That threw a 2 week wrench in my plan, on top of that the gym at work has been closed. I have been walking with coworkers and this past week was my first week back on running and considering th rain forcasted for this week, I probably won't get to run this week, much.

Move on to Level 2 of 30 Day Shred - Although I did this with semi regularity, let me remind you of the darn injury. Seriously, stupid hip! But I also bought Jillian's Yoga Dvd and switched the two out. Still on level 1 but not giving up.

Workout 16 out of 31 Days - Even with the hip injury I'm pretty freaking sure I completed this goal. I've learned to actually *enjoy* working out so I do make sure to do it at least 4 out of the 7 days of the week and most weeks at least 5 days.

Attend Church at Least 2 of the 4 Sundays in March - Done. We didn't go today and that makes me sad, but once we are back from the beach, Church is on the To Do List

Make the Bed Every Morning - This was such a failure, not even funny.

But, I have some goals for this week I want/need to accomplish:

30 Day Shred - I want to complete this on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for sure. Friday might be difficult since it will be super busy with depositing my dog at my mom's, packing up the car for the trip and getting my nails done, but if time permits, I'm pretty sure I can talk the sis in law into doing it with me.

Laundry - it certainly is one of those things that is never done. BUT, I need to get it under control. I need to make sure everything gets folded/hung in a timely manner and keep the dirty laundry to no more than 1 dirty load at a time.

Pack for my trip - The list of things I need to pack for this trip is ridiculously long. Since we are staying in a condo for the week, not only do I have clothes to pack, but both kitchen supplies and cooking ingredients. I'm also one of those people who simply cannot pack light. I have a packing list (considering how messy I can be, I'm very list oriented) and I just need to make sure to follow it and add stuff as it occurs to me.

Stay OP- Ever since my anniversary, I've had the hardest time not going over points. It doesn't help that I haven't done a lot of cooking, Joseph has. But, I've discovered that for me to be successful, I have to be involved in cooking. This week we are having Turkey Burgers, Scilian Rice Ball Casserole and Chicken Taco Chili. Super yummy foods that will make it easy to stay OP.

When you workout in a gym, on a treadmill, there are no worries that you will go so far that won't make it back to the start. When that gym is taken away from you and you have to go into the real world to work out, there is no guarantee.

Joseph today wanted to walk from work to Walmart and back again. That is 1 1/2 miles *one* way, 3 total. I told him I would only walk for peanut butter cups but in reality I was wondering what I was going to do if I couldn't make it. I mean, since working on being fit and getting healthy, the farthest I have gone is 2 miles. I know without a doubt that 20 pounds and two months of not working out ago, I probably wouldn't have done it, and especially not how well I did it. There were some hills, changes in terrain and a mixture of super cold wind and hot sun. Not only did I walk all 3 miles, and get my peanut butter cups, but I did it like it was nothing.

I wouldn't have known I could do that until I got rid of the safety net. Slowly and surely, I'm having to remove these safety nets I've placed around myself to keep stuff from being too hard, too challenging or too intimidating.

I went and Zumba'd with my best friend Sarah on Monday night. It was a huge group class with women of all shapes, sizes and skill levels. Normally I would be so concerned with how I look to everyone else to have fun; but that wasn't the case. I just worried about having fun and getting my burn on and I did have fun. I removed the safety net of worrying what other people thought of me and had a great experience.

At the end of May, I'm removing a huge safety net. I like to call it my "Crazy" safety net. Because it is what keeps me from doing stupid crazy stuff. Well, end of May, I'm participating in the Warrior Dash. That is a 5K (3.1 miles) with obstacles, including: running through fire, climing a cargo net, running through tires and wading through water. There are parts of this race that really worry me. Am I strong enough? Will I fall face first into the fire? Will I fall and die at the cargo net? But, I'm removing the safety net because it will only make me a better, well rounded person and I will be so amazed with myself when I finish it.

It helps that my sis-in-law has promised to stay by my side.

So, after weeks of not running, having stupid hip pain and feeling like a sloth (even with doing Jillian Dvds), I got to run today! Is it bad I want to leap around declaring in a singsong voice "I got to run!" "I got to run!"? I picked up on Week 3 of C25K. That was the last week I successfully completed before my hip gave out on me and started sucking it up. I wasn't able to run the entire last 3 minutes, but every single run seemed to be UP hill and I'm not going to sweat it. Because, I got to run!!

It is amazing how much I look forward to working out now that I do it regularly. When I started working out, it was a struggle. We are talking: whine, complain and moan; "I'm only going because I promised I would Zumba with you" And now? I'm like "Come on, lets go walk/zumba/run/Jillian! whatever. Additionally, I'm making hang out time with friends be fun workout time instead of eat food time.

I went with my bestie, Sarah, to a group Zumba class on Monday night and we had an awesome time. Firstly because Zumba is fun, I don't care who you are or how you work out, if you can NOT take yourself seriously it is a fun time. And secondly because she is my bestie and we get along so well. We were cracking up the entire time and getting to dance our bootys off, well, my booty anyways... And I've decided we absolutely *must* go again next week!

So, to sum up, I Love working out AND *I got to run!*

Joseph and I celebrated our 2 year wedding anniversary this past weekend. We headed to Atlanta and stayed the night there.

If you know Joe, you know of his intense *love* for the Atlanta Braves. He will tell you there are only 2 seasons, Christmas season and Baseball season. We started off our Saturday by going on a tour of Turner Field.

 We had a room on the "VIP" floor. Which I think is really just code for "Make them feel special" But whatever! The bed was comfty and as you can see, we were in a blueberry room! It was a super cute room and super cute hotel.
 We exchanged gifts and Joe got me a cute owl apron that I have been bugging him about incessentantly.





Then we went back to the hotel and watched a couple movies.

The next morning, I came out of the shower to this:

I love my husband.

I had a great time celebrating my anniversary with him and I hope everyone enjoyed getting to see a few of the pictures!

Two years ago today, I got to marry the man of my dreams. I never thought I would marry the all American boy, tall, blonde hair, blue eyes, boyish charm. But, somewhere along the way, I got really lucky. Joseph is hilarious, sweet, handsome, smart, caring and amazing to just name a few great traits about him.

He really knows how to treat me like a princess but also when he needs to be strict with me. We work well together, a truly great partnership. The past two years have flown by. Happy anniversary, my love!

Anniverary weekend recap coming tomorrow!!

Man, this has been the week of chocolate. I'm not PMSing. I'm not super emotional. I've just lost will power.

Joe started off my day with Green Eggs, Green Hashbrowns and Green Canadian Bacon. He is silly and I love him so. That was a niee healthy breakfast, but everything after that was just down hill.

At work we had casual day/dessert day. I hadn't planned to eat anything, that didn't last. Wow, cupcakes are awesome. But, I did get my workout on.

Tomorrow will be better.
Saturday will not.
Sunday starts a new week.

I just have to remind myself: This is not a sprint, it is a marathon.

Happy St. Patrick's Day, everyone.

Sorry to break it to you, Sarah, but I have a new BFF (or BFB: Best Friend begins with a B and rhymes with witch as I like to call her). Some of you might have met her before, Jillian Michaels. That name ring a bell?

She and I have spent that last two evenings together, which I have to say, makes her smile a lot. I mean, we work out together, get toned and fit... and *sore*. First we did Yoga together, she thought it was great I was trying something new. Tonight we did the shred, she kept reminding me not to phone it in.

In my head I refer to her as "Jillian Micahels that *B word that rhymes with Witch*", but I know she only pushes me because she cares. Soon we are going to start working specifically on our backside and frontsides individually, but for now we are sticking to yoga and shredding.

I just have to say, if you aren't BFFs or BFBs... you should meet her. Just remember sometimes, the way she shows love is very painful. We are taking a break from each other tomorrow, but we are back on again for Friday (Jasmine, you interested in a work out date?)

So, I started working out in January. It was really easy for me to make myself go because the building I work in has a gym and I would go during lunch. I pretty much resigned myself to the fact that I would just look like crap the second half of the day and I was alright with that because as sweaty as I got, I knew I was getting more fit.

Then I got a hip injury. This threw my C25K dreams out the window.

More bad news this week: The gym at my work is closed for the next 5 weeks. No treadmill, no elliptical, no floor space to Zumba. No place to work out.

Now, my work out buddies Dani, Joseph (my husband) and Karley have decided we will go out and walk at least twice a week in the neighborhood behind our work that has huge, mountainous hills. However, that still leaves me with at least 3-4 days where I have to push myself to work out, after work and at home.

Sheesh.

I guess it is time for me to put my money where my mouth is and prove to myself that I can work out, I can push myself to do it and I'm stronger than the excuse I make. I have workout dvd's galore. Zumba, Yoga, Flirty Girl AND Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred and Yoga Meltdown.

Today I did Yoga Meltdown. Wow, does Jillian know how to kick a girls butt. I mean, I was totally resisting the work out at first. It was brand new to me, I hadn't done yoga in years and I knew Jillian would make me hurt. And she did. She made me sweat, hurt and my limbs *shake*.

When it was done I felt strong, lean, tall and powerful. I felt accomplished and amazing and I was happy. Some where in this whole journey I have fallen in love with working out and knowing that I am bettering my body. So, I need to hold on to that feeling, that awesome feeling and help it push me to work out. Tomorrow I think I'm going to 30 Day Shred. Thursday it is more walking on mountainous hills and Friday is probably going to be a great day of rest. I will have worked out 4 days in a row without a gym.

Let's see if I do it. I believe I can and I know I can. Because, after I finish, I'm going to feel amazing and know that I pushed my body harder than today or the day before or the week before.

In the Christian world, Lent is a time of preparation and reflection. You can find out a lot more details if you google it. Basically though, it begins on Ash Wednesday and ends the Saturday before Easter, with Sundays not included since it is a time to celebrate Jesus. It is typical to give up a vice, instead relying on God to get you through the next 40 days.

Although Lent is not heavily celebrated in the Baptist church, I find it is still a good time for self reflection, improvement and challenge. One year I gave up chocolate, which was ridiculously hard for me but I made it. I don't believe I gave up anything last year.

This year, I plan to give up cursing. It actually makes me sad that this is something I need to "give up". Really, I wish that I had better control of my mouth. Cursing is neither intelligent sounding or classy and is mostly rude.

Additionally, I want to add in something to help with my self improvement and to bring me closer to God. Last night I started a 1 year Chronological reading of the Bible, thanks to Youversion and my iPod Touch.

With these two goals I hope to not only improve myself, but hopefully make lasting changes in myself that will make me a smarter, classier and nicer person.

If you look to the left, you will see a list of blogs that encourage me on a daily basis to eat healthy, work out and be an all around healthier person. Each person listed is beautiful in their own way, not just physically but from the inside out. Without the aid of these blogs, family and friends and the 20's board on Weight Watchers I'm not sure I would be as successful as I have been. It's helpful to connect with people who know the struggles I face every day, know how I feel and show me that it can be done.

Something I never expected when I started this blog, was that I would be an encouragement to other people. Sporadically in the past month or so, I've had people tell me that they like my blog, or I encourage them to be healthier or the things I write are inspiring.

Wow.

I'm not sure if there is any greater compliment I could receive in regards to the work I put into this blog and into the changes I'm making in myself. All of a sudden the fact that I rarely get comments on the blog don't matter because someone has taken time out of their day to let me know that I've made a difference. I never, ever expected that and every time I hear it, it makes a real difference to me; it touches me. It's been really hard for me lately, having a bum hip and not knowing how to work out, but I still got encouragement from a co-worker today to keep it up.

So, to anyone who has said anything to me about this blog or the changes I've made in my life, and to those who haven't but still get something out of my posts: THANK YOU for taking the time to read, to comment, and to encourage me. It means a lot to hear and to know and it encourages me to continue to be healthy and a more well rounded person.

(Note to self: Stop watching Biggest Loser because it makes me WAY sappy)

Since I worked from home today because of my doctor visit, it meant I had no commute and could start cooking dinner earlier than normal. Because of that, I made lasagna. For those not in the know, I'm a really good cook, but lasagna always bests me.

Not tonight. Tonight I made the delicious, scrumptious lasagna from Emily Bites. Not only was it delicious, but it was fool proof because *I* was able to make it. I find it hard to believe anyone would only eat 1/12 of that because it only makes a 9x13 pan and even 1/9th was not enough because it was that good. (Although it was perfectly filling at 1/9th of the recipe) Joseph and I paired it with a simple sald with tomatoes and ranch dressing.

While I was waiting for the lasagna to cook, I whipped up some Pumpkin Pie Dip. Oh my goodness, it is delicious. If I see my mother in the near future, she will probably get a tub of it because it filled up two cool whip containers once it was all done and made. I am also debating freezing some in ice cube trays and putting it in a smoothie, but that is an experiment for the weekend. I tried it out with a strawberry and it was delicious. Seriously good enough that you could eat it with a spoon.

So, I went to the doctor for my hip pain that still hasn't gone away. My diagnosis is "Arthralgia of Hip". I don't know what that means and I don't intend to google it because we all know somehow it will end up being able to kill me. Basically I was prescribed a medicine for inflammation and I can't exercise in any way that will hurt my hip. Although I find this really depressing (with my new found love of exercise and all), but going to the dr I realized I am super duper lucky. I mean, my blood pressure is always low, heart rate is good, no diabetes, no debilatating sickness, no need to be on constant meds of any sort. For all intents and purposes, I'm super healthy. So, yes, my hip has me down. It has me seriously questioning whether I will be able to do the Warrior Dash in 9 weeks, but I'm super lucky to be as healthy as I am. So, I won't let this set back hinder my weight loss journey and I will figure out ways to exercise that won't impact my hip. (And I've had some great suggestions from friends via facebook) But, some prayers that my hip will heal quickly would be Greatly appreciated.

That's all I have internet world so I leave you with this quote from Psych:
Gus: I mean, what have I done in my life that anyone would say was great?

Shawn: Dude, the perfect cocoa roundness of your head alone makes you great.

So, ever since this past Tuesday, my hip has been hurting like nobody's business. It is really worrying for me because I did not workout at all Monday and it still hurts. I plan to go to the doctor tomorrow and maybe see if they can figure out what is up. But, regardless, I'm really depressed and bummed that I can't exercise. For the first time in my life I actually enjoy working out and I can't do it.

So, Saturday, Joe decided to cheer me up. I bought 3 dresses, which is practically a non-scale victory in itself, but they were also a size smaller than I had been wearing. So were the bras I bought. Joe braved Charming Charlies for me and let me get a Harry Potter puzzle. Needless to say, he was awesome and spoiled me with some retail therapy.

And part of what made it so awesome was buying a whole bunch of smaller clothes.

Now, I can only pray that the doctor can solve my mysterious hip pain tomorrow!

"We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars." - Oscar Wilde

I was told once in high school by a friend that I was a really negative person. I think on a sub-conscious level that really bothered me because over the years I know I've changed my outlook on life. I don't always have to try to be positive so much as it just happens. I try to find the silver lining to every storm cloud not just in my life but for my friends when they are having a hard time.

Life is far too short to spend it being negative or sad. Not to say that feeling that way on occasion is a bad thing. I mean, I'm a girl; I totally have those days where nothing goes right and I just want to curl up and go back to bed. But, life isn't about what goes wrong, it's about what you do to make it right.

Three months ago I was so unhappy with how I looked and felt and in a way I was okay with that feeling. I didn't care about what I ate, I didn't move, I didn't try to better myself at all.  My outlook was negative and it showed in how I thought about myself and my feelings towards other people. Who wants to be content wasting their twenties by being uncomfortable in their own skin and disliking everyone around them because of it?

December 1, 2010 I committed to a change. Some days it is really easy, I eat great and get in tons of fruits and vegetables and exercise and feel comfortable in my skin... I feel thinner and in power of myself. But, some days it is hard. Really hard. I don't like what they scale says, I want to gorge on chocolate, I feel like a working out failure and a running fraud and I absolutely hate how I look. But, those are the days when I have to remind myself that it's the process, the struggle, that is going to help me learn, succeed and better myself.

Because no matter what, I know I am getting healthier, stronger and smarter. Just sometimes, I have to remind myself over and over and over again. I'm not going to let being in the gutter keep me from admiring the stars.

So, on Sunday I completed week 3 of C25K. I don't know if you know, but you go from running 1.5 minutes and 3 minutes to running 3 minutes and 5 minutes in Week 4. Well, this girl was not ready for that change. Not only was I defeated before I even started, I had no belief in myself, my body was just tired. My hip *hurts*, my calf is sore. I could never get my running groove or my breathing.

In my opinion there is nothing wrong with knowing when you aren't ready and I'm not ready to move on to week 4. I never felt confident in myself with week 3, not like I did with week 1 or 2, even with completing it outside. So, I'm going to stay on week 3 this week and revisit the idea of week 4 next week. There is just something about running 5 minutes in a row that is extremely daunting.

But, there is always a silver lining to every day! And today's silver lining is dinner! I made barbeque chicken, green beans (which didn't turn out, but I don't like fresh green beans anyways so I'm alright with it) and skinnytaste.com 's Mac and Cheese. I am practically a hobag for some homemade Mac and Cheese, it's probably my favorite food ever (Chocolate doesn't count since it is a whole food group). Joseph made me this for Valentine's Day and we knew instantly it was a winner, it even beat out the best of the best cooking light recipe in my opinion.

However, this deep love of mac and cheese that I have, it also keeps me from being able to portion it very well. As in, I want to eat all of it in one sitting. Just give me a huge bowl of mac and cheese  and I will devour that. But, tonight I got out my measuring cup, measured out a serving of mac and cheese for Joseph and Me and then portioned the rest out in containers so that I can't go back for seconds, thirds and fourths.

Seriously though, go make that mac and cheese. It is so delicious. And, while you are at it, check out her other recipes because they are ridiculously good.