tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3635527097444638252024-02-19T10:29:01.599-05:00The Blooming OrchidI'm in full bloom, fully locked and running for my lifeBlooming Orchidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16041027797578605465noreply@blogger.comBlogger141125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-363552709744463825.post-79686366863277876882011-05-13T21:31:00.001-04:002011-05-13T21:39:16.466-04:00It's like...DAMNIT!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-w3VbWJE_W3Nr6rdQsil7VVsLZWrq9y6vzbgAfblXqoMMFRhBpWK6o578uA_AcNtLWe3pas0GP0aTLoub9vHoDY8mbR5m-FOO_4In2dNdSky4FpHLeoCFDNq4vxsDIHTz-UJWw-Cn-Y/s1600/Kelly+at+the+gala.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-w3VbWJE_W3Nr6rdQsil7VVsLZWrq9y6vzbgAfblXqoMMFRhBpWK6o578uA_AcNtLWe3pas0GP0aTLoub9vHoDY8mbR5m-FOO_4In2dNdSky4FpHLeoCFDNq4vxsDIHTz-UJWw-Cn-Y/s320/Kelly+at+the+gala.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Okay, so yeah, I've been away for a long while. Upon review of my blog, it's been nearly exactly a year since I last wrote a posting. A solid year. Lots of things have changed, lots has remained the same, and some of it is just like, well, DAMNIT! I was watching poetry slam tonight and one poem especially spoke to me, entitled, "It's like...DAMNIT!" That short phrase sums up my life pretty well right now.<br />
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My Flowers are doing well. Although my little flower, Chrysanthemum, was recently diagnosed with Seizure Disorder. That sucks, in a really bad kinda way. She's on medication and doing quite well, but still. I mean, DAMNIT! Chrysanthemum loves to dance, and she takes two dance classes per week. But she's a bit on the l-a-z-y side, so sometimes I have to literally push her little butt off the couch and turn off the episode of SpongeBob she has already watched a dozen + times. She loves to ride her scooter outside, watch TV, and help me cook in the kitchen. She hates school with a passion, but we're working on that vigorously. <br />
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My big flower, Rose, is now wearing the exact same shoe size as me - an 11 to be exact. That's tough for a ten year old. Let me keep it real, wearing a size 11 is often hard for me and I'm grown and I have the resources to find decent shoes in hard-to-reach places. She's a trooper, though. She loves flip-flops, nail polish, and reading good books. She's a bossy little thing, clearly taking after yours truly.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXOdjFoZ4gIiWyVh7fYctNdwJUiFjAT_bxCKByUdWuBqQtmR3VDwJef-lHeldTE7KjQ0u9MT07O-INOTV3xE0-vfiN1dLLN5nlZEPaaPopRzA3MDzz5syFTTqt8di9vWC47agGDL7nxG0/s1600/Emeril+AKA+Mr.+Stinky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXOdjFoZ4gIiWyVh7fYctNdwJUiFjAT_bxCKByUdWuBqQtmR3VDwJef-lHeldTE7KjQ0u9MT07O-INOTV3xE0-vfiN1dLLN5nlZEPaaPopRzA3MDzz5syFTTqt8di9vWC47agGDL7nxG0/s320/Emeril+AKA+Mr.+Stinky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We've got a new family member. His name is Emeril - yeah, like the chef. He's a nearly all-black Morkie (Maltese + Yorkie mix), ten pounds, spoiled rotten, and bad as hell. But SO much fun! He takes my potty training efforts for the biggest joke ever, which is driving Marigold insane. Actually, Emeril's very existence and residence in our home make him sick. Emeril flunked out of puppy obedience training at PetSmart, through no fault of his own; his owner was simply too busy to get him to class every Saturday afternoon at 2:00. That was a stupid idea to begin with - I knew I was too busy to see that through, but as usual, lack of time didn't stop me from trying! <br />
Emeril and Marigold don't get along. Well, actually, that's not exactly true. Marigold refuses to interact with Emeril, choosing to pretend the dog doesn't exist. Morkies are a lot like human people: they want to be talked to and included in the goings-on in a household. Because Marigold refuses to interact with Emeril, and to be totally honest, I think Emeril is picking up on a lot of vibes coming from me directed at Marigold, Emeril barks at Marigold in a low, almost moaning type bark that says, "Why won't you talk to me? Why do you treat me as if I don't exist?" I'm no dog whisperer, if I were, Emeril would've been potty trained long ago, but I still have a solid understanding of animal behavior (human and otherwise), and to be totally honest, I know what it's like to be ignored and how painful it can be. Marigold won't let Emeril sleep in our bed and he doesn't want him sitting on the couch. But, since I paid for two of our three couches, I let it be known that I get to make that decision, and DAMNIT, I enjoy Emeril's company on the couch, so Marigold can take his non-dog loving ass to the bank with that one. Props to Marigold, he DID treat me and paid to have a fence built in our miniature backyard. In typical fashion, Emeril doesn't like to be back there alone. If I'm going to hang out with him, I might as well just walk him. Which is what I do most days and nights, unless I'm really running late to get somewhere. He usually won't go potty in the back yard anyway, he just scratches at the door asking to be let back in the house. The Flowers always fall for it, let him in the house, then proceed to watch him pee and poop in his favorite spot on my carpet. I've purchased a portable carpet cleaner and used it ONCE, but I think I need to use it more than bi-monthly in order for it to be effective. I've resorted to bowls of vinegar in most corners and scrubbing with my homemade concoction made with carpet cleaner, vinegar, and baking soda. It works when I KNOW where the pee has landed. When I don't, it's not quite so effective and I come home to a house that smells like several puppies reside here, instead of just the one.<br />
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My marriage with Marigold is going through one hell of a transition. I'm not sure what the future holds, but I can confirm that the man I married fifteen years ago has come and gone, and left in his wake someone whom I'm not sure I can remain living with. Fifteen years DAMNIT! I'm nearly at my wits end and sick to death of praying and crying, crying and praying. I love my family so much. It's an unfortunate fact that both Marigold and I both feel much more sadness and trepidation about dismantling our beautiful family than we do about dissolving our marriage. Because we married so young, I was only 20, he was 23, it's only natural that we have grown and changed a lot. And unfortunately for us, all our growth has not been in the same direction. Of course, we're two individuals, so it's not unusual for us to grow at different rates and change immensely over the course of 15 years. At to the equation an unplanned pregnancy, a shotgun wedding, and a miscarriage less than two weeks later, and it all equals two confused, and slightly over-it 30-somethings who feel totally DONE! Still, it's like...DAMNIT!<br />
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Some of the activities that Marigold has been participating in over the last few years has been revealed to me (after hours of interrogation)and I am left shocked, embarrassed, humbled, troubled, saddened, surprised, let-down, angry, and all the other disappointed-sounding adjectives and adverbs. I'm not sure if we will remain together or not, but I do know that my life has been changed forever. <br />
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The Blooming Orchid has been irrevocably changed and I'm definitely standing at a cross-road in my life. My life, my children, my work, my education and my desire to make it big in this world are all more important to me than ever before. I feel a sense of urgency to keep pushing, keep striving, keep going and going and going until. Well, until something great happens. And I know that good things are in store for me. My faith in myself and my future is very strong right now. Despite the fact that my legs are shaky, my spirit is pretty sure-footed right now. I know I'm a child of God and I know that I'm doing what He has called me to do.<br />
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I'm back in school too. Yup, I'm nearly 3/4 of the way finished a graduate program in Education. In less than nine months, I will give birth to a child I will call Masters Degree in Education with an Emphasis on Adult Education and Development. I imagine that while my back was turned and I chose to focus on raising two small children, working full time and struggling through a Master's degree, my husband and supposed Ride or Die, was struggling with feelings of loneliness and abandonment. I believe that instead of dealing with those same feelings two years prior, I instead chose to dive head first into furthering my self sufficiency by working like a dog and enrolling in school. I can't help but wonder: did I intentionally turn my back on my Marigold, anticipating he would do what he did and thus, initiate the demise of our marriage? <br />
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On another sad note, I've regained forty of the fifty pounds I lost two years ago. So much so that many of my beloved size 16s are now snug and sometimes even painful. It's like...DAMNIT! Who works so hard to lose 50 pounds, then proceed to gain nearly all of them back?! A nut, that's who! But I'm trying not to beat myself up. I'm trying to learn to be patient and more supportive of myself. I'm still learning to love myself and I know that all the trials and tribulations I am going through will benefit me in the end. I will learn from all these lessons! <br />
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Keep loving yourself. Life's too short not to!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85702/bloomingorchid/8747708ab55398480d47f326f5da8602.png" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85702/bloomingorchid/8747708ab55398480d47f326f5da8602.png" border="0" /></a></div>Blooming Orchidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16041027797578605465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-363552709744463825.post-26568649323153509692010-05-21T11:55:00.001-04:002010-05-21T12:04:32.917-04:00So Glad to Be No Longer Freaking Out<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioUTJ_udRVTTHHJFYgG7VswcTYs4PJkY1_U76NQuAtQ7Qcy2FfXKtJffVmRLfu2tZlCbX4o7bh83B5VzXim7FhLXNrqFebIiCeQebyaFn2Pa7oFbFnbocqKPtIkjLKz7kyozX-99oGLGw/s1600/Bollywood.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioUTJ_udRVTTHHJFYgG7VswcTYs4PJkY1_U76NQuAtQ7Qcy2FfXKtJffVmRLfu2tZlCbX4o7bh83B5VzXim7FhLXNrqFebIiCeQebyaFn2Pa7oFbFnbocqKPtIkjLKz7kyozX-99oGLGw/s320/Bollywood.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="background-color: #b45f06;">My Bollywood Flowers</span></strong></div>That's right, I'm back to my cool, calm and collected self. I've realized, once again, that I must keep it together, not just for my sake but for my Flowers. Don't you just love their tunics and scarves?! So cute! They picked them out themselves, but I knew they would look amazing on them. <br />
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I'm loving my life again. I'm not so much enjoying the weight part of me (the scale is still not my friend), but I've again made peace with my body. Several times during the last week or so, I've caught a glimpse of myself in reflections, and while there are definitely still some areas that need improvement (read: my fluffy mid-section), I see tremendous changes in my hip/thigh/buttocks and for this I am glad. I owe these changes to my beloved Stairmaster, and the hellish workouts she puts me through two or three times each week.<br />
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You know what? No one is perfect. I don't know why I should expect that I would be. My body, although beautiful and fully functioning, has it's flaws. I'm okay with those things.<br />
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After more careful consideration, I did not join WW online. Unfortunately, I did not start journaling my food either. I'm taking a more lighthearted approach to this, which translates into doing nothing much about it. LOL!<br />
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My Flowers and I have a lot of things to deal with in the coming weeks, including SOLs in school, zoo week at dance academy, and finally three recitals (two ballet and one piano). It's about to get nuts around here, so I don't need any added pressure.<br />
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Lucky for me, I'm feeling quite levelheaded and I trust that we will survive everything that is coming for us. Life is short, I'm no longer feeling up to stressing about stuff that I may or may not be able to control.<br />
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Today I'm going to have my locks retwisted and for that I am so glad. I don't enjoy handing over my hard earned money to other people to do my hair, but every six months or so, it just HAS to be done. I have so much new growth and my feeble attempts at sticking it back into existing locks is no longer working, it's time to call in an expert. I am confident the people at work will be relieved to no longer stare at the fuzzy head that is long overdue for proper maintenance. I know I sure will! <br />
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I ran a mile this morning on the dreadmill before my Flowers woke up. I'd very much like to do the remaining two and a half miles before the day is over, but I'm starting to believe it won't happen. I think I'm okay with that. Perhaps I'll do my usual three and a half tomorrow and add the two and a half that I didn't conquer today. I'll stew on that for a while. I'll let you know what I decide later.<br />
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In the meantime, keep on runnin' yall!<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85702/bloomingorchid/8747708ab55398480d47f326f5da8602.png" /></a><br />
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Gratitude Journal<br />
1. Family and friends who keep me laughing<br />
2. The enjoyment I have been having framing black and white pictures of my relatives; I never thought I'd get this much pleasure from pictures of my kin from long ago. It's magical to me!<br />
3. Fresh water to drink<br />
4. Seeing my reflection and liking what I see<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85702/bloomingorchid/8747708ab55398480d47f326f5da8602.png" border="0" /></a></div>Blooming Orchidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16041027797578605465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-363552709744463825.post-58872820214133567172010-05-17T11:17:00.000-04:002010-05-17T11:17:24.726-04:00I'm panicking! Don't panick! I'm freaking out! Don't freak out!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn-HUrGIqdujE12ZM_n-ZU_zJ8An0aRkbFapdOMkNqex92Cx5fybKUecDnBDAGjuNGlfRyHyL7PBL71Vj1t1OetHnCp7qNbeIq9sTz8840ZUH9oFXarfsNK78OkzChm1ZCLHgD3e7CcMM/s1600/panic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn-HUrGIqdujE12ZM_n-ZU_zJ8An0aRkbFapdOMkNqex92Cx5fybKUecDnBDAGjuNGlfRyHyL7PBL71Vj1t1OetHnCp7qNbeIq9sTz8840ZUH9oFXarfsNK78OkzChm1ZCLHgD3e7CcMM/s200/panic.jpg" width="200" wt="true" /></a><br />
I had a moment of insanity today after reading a woman's blog about her weight loss success assisted by lap band surgery. To further that, I looked at a male colleague today who admitted to having laser surgery on his eyes recently and realizing that, he's also lost quite a bit of weight. I speculated, in my Monday morning crappy mood, that he's probably had lap band surgery. Can you see me squinting my eyes in suspicion? <br />
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What's the point of all this you ask? Who cares? <br />
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The point is, everybody around me is dropping weight like it's hot (I hate that song, but it's so dang true!) and I'm stuck at my ~50 pound weight loss (if you want to be specific, it's closer to 40 pounds now, 'cause I'm actively gaining like a mutha). It's time to get this train moving back down the track. <br />
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Can I share with you that for a split second, I panicked and considered taking my lazy ass back to the Nutritionist at Kaiser and inquiring about weight loss surgery again. How bad does it have to get before I realize that I can do this on my own? I'm not uneducated, I'm not lazy, I'm not stupid, nor do I hate myself. I *LOVE* me some me! So why then do I insist on making this harder than it needs to be! <br />
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I'm starting a graduate degree program next month and in my personal and professional life, I continue to be a full time mommy, wife and employee. Zoo week is coming up (six mandatory dance rehearsals and three recitals) next month and add to that, I'd like to go to Ocean City to chillax for a day or two (the Flowers will be there for a week with Daisy, but I must save my leave for Jamaica in August). The Bottom line is, I have no extra time for ANYTHING. Therefore, Weight Watchers weekly meetings are just not gonna happen. I didn't get much out of the last go-round of WW meetings at work. I love that woman, but she just wasn't speaking my language last time around. <br />
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But mercy me, I have to do something quick or the dam is gonna break. I can't afford to let that happen. I WON'T LET THAT HAPPEN. I love the happy, quirky, less-demanding, less stressed, running, Stairmaster-ing chic I've become since I lost the weight. I will not allow myself to succumb to the regain. The buck stops here! It's time to recommit to my fabulosity. Right here and right now.<br />
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Weight Watchers online, here I come. <br />
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Keep on runnin' yall!<br />
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Gratitude Journal<br />
1. Just for today, I will not complain about anything; I am blessed and highly favored and I know it<br />
2. Seeing my brothers and sisters on TV last night on line at food pantries across the nation have inspired me to eat less and be thankful for more<br />
3. My colleague complimented me this morning and told me that she believes my Flowers will be very successful women because I am so structured and focused on raising them well<br />
4. Daisy treated me to a steamed crab feast yesterday and brought them all the way to my house! Love that woman! <br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85702/bloomingorchid/8747708ab55398480d47f326f5da8602.png" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85702/bloomingorchid/8747708ab55398480d47f326f5da8602.png" border="0" /></a></div>Blooming Orchidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16041027797578605465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-363552709744463825.post-51796231912657843562010-05-15T18:26:00.000-04:002010-05-15T18:26:33.301-04:00Namaste, Ya'llI haven't been faithful to my yoga practice since before my bunionectomy in December. I miss it, I really do. In fact, I miss it so much, when I laid eyes on this cute green guy caught in the middle of his serious yoga practice, I couldn't help but bring him home with me. He makes his home in my kitchen on the window sill right above my sink. I look at him everyday, at least once a day while I wash our never-ending dirty dishes. He makes me want to head back to a Bikram yoga class right away. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-JUC6BM2YUEkpc1TzgbIBY1P78w7kYVXuKhYjSbTdGP19jjr39CD66SuiGUhHbdx9-zXvsEqJVl0C0vDCZ2H0GxCUt0ft4ZpobLc4qBCRyhbFhlx_lwV9ZjwFNoNSf7xdufPhUXU4Sc/s1600/Namaste.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-JUC6BM2YUEkpc1TzgbIBY1P78w7kYVXuKhYjSbTdGP19jjr39CD66SuiGUhHbdx9-zXvsEqJVl0C0vDCZ2H0GxCUt0ft4ZpobLc4qBCRyhbFhlx_lwV9ZjwFNoNSf7xdufPhUXU4Sc/s400/Namaste.JPG" width="300" wt="true" /></a></div>Rose is off to her first sleep-over. She has had a sleep-over at our home, but until today, she has not been to stay the night with any of her girlfriends. Marigold took her to her friend's house for a birthday party/sleep-over, as he wants to launch a thorough inspection to make sure the home is up to his requirements. I told her that she should not feel pressure to spend the night, if she decides it doesn't feel right or if she simply gets scared, she should feel comfortable to call, Marigold or I will gladly come get her. I just hope she doesn't wait until I get into my jammies! My baby is growing up so fast! What happened to the six pound bundle I brought home from the hospital, ten short years ago? <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_6Tx9Ovcu3FINOD3FR6136mK8GMoi1g6fjnoKmsk7Z5KxFzmmhwzTJJ2u6AbdqWifzMW-_hUEEDL2rowA2ndCvFvnbAWy050_pngPDrcV4w-c9GmhnNMHT2KbgPoYcC_TyeVyYEFi8g/s1600/Spring+2010+064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_6Tx9Ovcu3FINOD3FR6136mK8GMoi1g6fjnoKmsk7Z5KxFzmmhwzTJJ2u6AbdqWifzMW-_hUEEDL2rowA2ndCvFvnbAWy050_pngPDrcV4w-c9GmhnNMHT2KbgPoYcC_TyeVyYEFi8g/s320/Spring+2010+064.JPG" wt="true" /></a></div><br />
Have you been faithful to your yoga/running/biking/walking/Zumba/Jazzercise/Curves practice? If not, today is a great day to get back to it. <br />
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Peace & Blessings to you...<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85702/bloomingorchid/8747708ab55398480d47f326f5da8602.png" /></a><br />
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Gratitude Journal<br />
1. Family and friends<br />
2. Daisy's offer to bring me crabs tomorrow<br />
3. A night with only one child<br />
4. Coloring in a new coloring book with Chrysanthemum and having fun<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85702/bloomingorchid/8747708ab55398480d47f326f5da8602.png" border="0" /></a></div>Blooming Orchidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16041027797578605465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-363552709744463825.post-39358170998170696802010-05-14T11:27:00.002-04:002010-05-15T18:11:29.396-04:003.5 A Day Keeps the Doctor Away<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheAaRRr54GT5wPIn4jVyUiCRhg5ZbvpwMmXLWKaNCxZZuDfJ21VOQ4Ry4haRgTCBem0TwV66Q0QaZith-MjoKCvUqn3oTncwPwcv9WwsBi9oiY5xP2wFQOBrcV4U0xW80PqAJfi-n2mLw/s1600/Cover+May+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheAaRRr54GT5wPIn4jVyUiCRhg5ZbvpwMmXLWKaNCxZZuDfJ21VOQ4Ry4haRgTCBem0TwV66Q0QaZith-MjoKCvUqn3oTncwPwcv9WwsBi9oiY5xP2wFQOBrcV4U0xW80PqAJfi-n2mLw/s320/Cover+May+1.JPG" wt="true" /></a></div>Hello, peeps. As you can probably tell by the title of this post, I'm back up to 3.5 miles of running/Stairmastering everyday. I feel so good - so ALIVE again. It's absolutely unbelieveble how much my mood and general outlook on life have improved since I last posted.<br />
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I'll be starting a Master's program in Education next month. I'm really excited about it and I'm oddly looking forward to being in a formal education program again. Technically, I'm in school right now, but I'm between classes at my local communicty college, senjoying a much-needed one week break. I will finish my Certificate in Human Resource Management next month, then I'll go straight into the Master's Program. I'm nervous about the demands the studies will place on my family, but I'm convinced that together, the Flowers and Marigold and I can all handle it. <br />
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Speaking of the Flowers, they are both doing absolutely fantastic. I'm such a lucky Mommy to have those two little girls to keep me on track. They're the smartest, prettiest, most interesting people I have ever encountered. I love them so much. Chrystanthemum received an award in school for being a much improved student, and Rose continues to make Principal's Honor Roll (straight As!). They both continue to take ballet lessons and we're quickly headed toward hell week - the week before their annual ballet recital. Each girl will have three lessons that week plus a mandatory dress rehearsal. That means eight lessons between two girls in a one week span of time! Does anyone have a wife they can loan me? LOL! I hated life last year during hell week, and I don't imagine this year will be much better, but I'm preparing myself as best I can for it.<br />
<br />
My weight you ask? Don't ask, I say. The scale is not my friend right now. A close friend told me it's time to start journaling what I eat again. Bah! I say! I hate journaling! I'm not good at it, I lie and try and cheat the journal and my dishonesty always comes back to bite me in my slightly firm a$$. I know desperate times call for desperate measures. I know! I know! I know! I just don't wanna do it. I will though. Eventually. Soon. Real soon. I hope.<br />
<br />
I have a <a href="http://www.wordle.net/">wordle</a> now! I love this thing. It's real easy to make one, you just visit the site here and copy in the text you want to use, or upload your blog or home page into the link and wordle will create your wordle for you. It's pretty cool. You can see mine on my home page. I customized mine to make it purple and pink and changed the font until I found one I like the most. <br />
<br />
-------------------------------------------<br />
Gratitude Journal:<br />
1. My weight problems means that I have (more than) enough food; I am blessed beyond belief<br />
2. Feeling good about my body again makes me happy<br />
3. My Flowers are happy and healthy girls<br />
4. Marigold still loves me after all these years<br />
5. My hectic schedule means I am a productive woman<br />
6. Another woman (Elena Kagan) has been nominated for a seat on our Supreme Court. We might have three female Judges soon! <br />
<br />
Keep on runnin' yalll!<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85702/bloomingorchid/8747708ab55398480d47f326f5da8602.png" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85702/bloomingorchid/8747708ab55398480d47f326f5da8602.png" border="0" /></a></div>Blooming Orchidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16041027797578605465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-363552709744463825.post-11873939909557520102010-04-20T13:59:00.001-04:002010-04-20T14:14:48.572-04:00Nope, I'm not dead, I've just been hidingHere's the thing: I've been on a lazy, eating-whatever-I feel-like, post-surgery binge since the week of Christmas. You see, I had a bunionectomy on Monday, December21st. It was the most long-winded, drawn-out procedure I've ever endured. And to make matters worse, I had the surgery on my right foot. I live in Northern VA - hello, I practically LIVE in my automobile. Not being able to drive, or exercise, or go from point A to point B as I pleased was very hard on me. Marigold was patient and drove me to and fro, but it wasn't the same. I wanted to drive MYSELF! My truck! My music! My heat up as high as I wanted it! All that!<br />
<br />
I've always been a very independent girl and this activity-halting surgery was a real slap in the face. I mean, I was informed of how my recovery would go and the things I was prohibited from doing, but still. It was mentally worse than I ever thought it could be. I hated life for about ten weeks. Not to mention, the first two weeks I was forced to wear the ugliest boot known to man, then for the next three weeks, I wore another really ugly shoe-like contraption. I was no fashion statement, I tell you. It was a long, unattractive and painful ten weeks. The pain was not that intense, but it was the kind of pain that would not go away. I'd pop an 800 mg ibuprofen and surf through the next four or six hours pretty painlessly and feel, for the most part, <em>okay.</em> Then, you guessed it! Here the pain would come again. I don't deal very well with pain. I never have, and I probably never will. I'm a complaining, weepy, over-reacting wus, to be more precise. And the scar! Oh the scar! It's <strong>awful</strong>. I would have endured another few weeks of pain if I could've avoided a scar. It's really ugly. But my bunion is gone and my big toe, despite the swelling that still lingers, looks great. <br />
<br />
So, I had my surgery and I sat on my butt through two (or was it three?) blizzards. Chrysanthemum and Rose were out of school for a solid week, plus a day or two here and there, and you know who was home with them. Yup - yours truly. We spent about a week baking cookies, cakes, pies, and I happily hoovered any other sweet things I could get my grubby hands on. I gained eight sloppy pounds. I was miserable. I was very angry with myself, but felt powerless to change things. We were stuck in the house! Literally! The only activity I got for a while was shoveling snow. It's a pretty good workout, in case you hadn't heard. We got so much snow it blanketed everything, including my mood. Don't get me wrong, it was wonderful having the extra time with my Flowers, but it was not joyous to be forced to sit on my rapidly-spreading butt for weeks at a time. <br />
<br />
Finally, on February 8th, I got clearance from my <a href="http://www.chesapeakeresearch.com/cv_1.html">Podiatrist</a> to begin slowly exercising again, with strict orders to take it easy. I did the happy dance out of his office, with plans to break a sweat again ASAP! <br />
<br />
Sixteen weeks later, I'm running/walking again, I'm back up to three miles at a time, I've been reunited with my beloved Stairmaster, I've lost five of the nearly ten pounds I put on, and I'm so very happy to be active again. I never once in life thought I'd become the kind of girl that becomes miserable from being forced to be inactive. Seriously! Me???!! Who woulda thunk it?<br />
<br />
I can't take all the credit, I've started seeing my therapist again last month and I'm working on some of the issues I've been dodging for about thirty years. Better late than never, eh?<br />
<br />
I still battle with my weight. I still overeat and occasionally binge on something I know is no good for me. Oh yeah, I dropped out of Weight Watchers the last time around. I'm a WW drop-out again. Like Oprah said, 'I can't believe I'm still talking about my weight!' I'm currently reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Women-Food-God-Unexpected-Everything/dp/1416543074/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1271785319&sr=1-1">Women Food and God</a> by Geneen Roth and I'm actively seeking insight into my quest for self-destruction a la food. Learning to love myself completely, despite my extra body weight and my other miscellaneous shortcomings has been a repeated theme with me. I'm still a work in progress! <br />
<br />
The most exciting news of all for me is that I've enrolled in a graduate program. I'll start pursuing my M.Ed (Masters degree in Education) in June. I feel very strongly that this program is going to be a good fit for me and I have high hopes for myself. I want to do well and learn a lot. I miss researching so much! If I could afford to be a professional student, I would do it in a heartbeat.<br />
<br />
Anyhoo, I'm alive, life is good. I hope to be back real soon. <br />
<br />
In the meantime, keep on runnin', yall!<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85702/bloomingorchid/8747708ab55398480d47f326f5da8602.png" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85702/bloomingorchid/8747708ab55398480d47f326f5da8602.png" border="0" /></a></div>Blooming Orchidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16041027797578605465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-363552709744463825.post-37524476857874024472009-09-30T17:19:00.002-04:002009-09-30T17:24:06.417-04:00Cross Training DayI feel like my half-marathon training program is coming along quite well. According to my training program, I was to cross train today instead of run, which is exactly what I did. I lifted ten pound free weights for 15 minutes, then fought with my favorite machine for 30 minutes - my beloved stairmaster. Watch out now! She fought back today! Woohoo! It was a blast! Good times! You know how much I freakin' love that machine if you read my post from <a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=363552709744463825&postID=1670421350289938818">the other day</a>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFpG2W-D2ZZ305y66W7SZ3LifibvLfHQKsi85lHpz2rxd_Sh9OR0BXcp6O7yNDGuen3nEOrPYqVD3A1z_S-Qv0-DwsbRIel25h_gWp8fTViTYvwzYIT_vonms5uuqf2Jqkxi2G9gBxxh4/s1600-h/cross+training.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS6AlcMS_xIjMeU7OIfwcegrzjSTv54dPlcfPHNVH31PwrkxbND30UXllAaidHV-Fn-N5ZMjCXH4RW2S49O_bKU9liikUGDvWHAy2yGYysvk2UFUawc0_Q9_7FQ6zzO6ujOxejHfXC4gE/s1600-h/cross+training.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS6AlcMS_xIjMeU7OIfwcegrzjSTv54dPlcfPHNVH31PwrkxbND30UXllAaidHV-Fn-N5ZMjCXH4RW2S49O_bKU9liikUGDvWHAy2yGYysvk2UFUawc0_Q9_7FQ6zzO6ujOxejHfXC4gE/s320/cross+training.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>I had a very busy day with clients today at work and I've begun working late hours on Wednesdays to accommodate field employees. Lucky for me, working late also means starting late, allowing me to sleep in until 7:00 a.m. this morning. Yes, sleeping until 7:00 a.m. is considered 'sleeping in' to me as my normal waking time is around 5:15 Monday - Friday. I defnitely needed it today as my allergies kicked up yesterday and I took a Benadryl before bed. Some folks get amped up from taking a Benadryl, but not me, sleep is a must as it makes me sleepy as all get out. I've made the mistake of taking a Benadryl during the day and being forced to head straight to bed, unable to function and do anything except sleep.<br />
<br />
I savor my runs so much, but I recognize that cross-training and strengthening my upper body and core are essential to my being able to complete the half marathon. It's just not my favorite activity. I'd rather run! <br />
<br />
Today was a good day. It's still not over yet, but I'm confident it will be soon. Time to head to the water fountain for another refill.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"><strong>Keep on runnin' yall!</strong></span><br />
--------------------------------<br />
Gratitude Journal<br />
1. Volunteer activities that help me strengthen my skills and network with other professionals<br />
2. Amy's burritos: so filling and low-fat too<br />
3. My Crockpot for cooking my dinner slowly while I work the day away<br />
4. Cross-training for the strength and balance it gives my body<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85702/bloomingorchid/8747708ab55398480d47f326f5da8602.png" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85702/bloomingorchid/8747708ab55398480d47f326f5da8602.png" border="0" /></a></div>Blooming Orchidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16041027797578605465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-363552709744463825.post-42078902443716185872009-09-27T20:58:00.000-04:002009-09-27T20:58:03.870-04:00Wonderful WeekendThere's not much in life that a weekend in Ocean City can't cure. Not in my world, anyway. <br />
<br />
Marigold, the Flowers and I, Daisy and our cousins, aunts and uncle spent a weekend laughing and talking the weekend away. We ate too much junk food, shopped 'til we dropped in the outlets in Dover, DE and spent time on the beach playing in the sand (fully dressed). <br />
<br />
I took leave on Friday and we left for Ocean City just after lunchtime. It was quite chilly and windy upon our arrival on Friday afternoon and remained windy on Saturday, but we were tough and braved the beach anyway. Here are Daisy, Rose and Chrysanthemum enjoying each other at the beach: <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN04bV53ymZJLbltMvbcpitj8dvOFg2mEtjfj4I9Fm-QO0SBGPiFlxYWnGuTQJg1KtTZ5QFllY1SEcstYmgYnVScestTLfV2JJb_LsWn0nt6tc9_IdyEVSTW9RxpHohIQ4SGCJ9IA4wLU/s1600-h/September+2009+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN04bV53ymZJLbltMvbcpitj8dvOFg2mEtjfj4I9Fm-QO0SBGPiFlxYWnGuTQJg1KtTZ5QFllY1SEcstYmgYnVScestTLfV2JJb_LsWn0nt6tc9_IdyEVSTW9RxpHohIQ4SGCJ9IA4wLU/s320/September+2009+015.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><br />
I maintained my momentum and training for my half marathon by waking early on Saturday and hitting Coastal Avenue for a solid three mile run. It was windy as all get-out, but I warmed up quickly once I started my run. I was in good company with several other dedicated souls pounding the pavement. Later Saturday morning, we made our way down to the waterfront to admire the tremendous beach waves. The sand and salty air gave us the emotional boost we all needed. There's something special about sitting on the beach watching the water even when it's too cold to venture into the water. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgegeF8CGTcqULSNqeTh8CWfI-BwFrnrfRQYLFNY9dLAEsE1gu-ocsOkOjSZtPnBw7fTIA-0DAtqee23GIklIhiaMQHnJH17vIdNZgXl469XqLu2nPjdJo3NDHjOQZgneN_ShxvBYmTFa8/s1600-h/September+2009+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgegeF8CGTcqULSNqeTh8CWfI-BwFrnrfRQYLFNY9dLAEsE1gu-ocsOkOjSZtPnBw7fTIA-0DAtqee23GIklIhiaMQHnJH17vIdNZgXl469XqLu2nPjdJo3NDHjOQZgneN_ShxvBYmTFa8/s320/September+2009+017.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><br />
Marigold treated himself to nine holes of golf while we treated ourselves to great deals in the outlet stores, then we met up for dinner. After dinner, we all drank too much wine and managed to watch a few $0.99 Red Box movie rentals before I called it a night well after Midnight.<br />
<br />
I'm still very excited about my decision to prepare myself for a <a href="http://www.racetimingunlimited.org/raceinfo/BG08info.aspx">half marathon</a> this December. I feel happy and inspired whenever I think about it and I feel good about my decision to tackle this tremendous goal this year. I revel in telling my friends and family about why I see no point in postponing this until next year. I'm just going to do it!!! I'm continuining to read everything I can about staying healthy and making my training efficient. Today I'm feeling confident and unshakable in my abilities to run this race and do it in a healthy and focused way. I hope I continue to remain confident. <br />
<br />
How about you - what are you feeling good about today?<br />
<br />
Keep on runnin' yall!<br />
<br />
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Gratitude Journal<br />
1. A weekend away with family<br />
2. Feeling rested and knowing that I've successfully reset my zero<br />
3. Commitment to oneself<br />
4. Knowing that God means for me to be where I am and being happy in this place<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85702/bloomingorchid/8747708ab55398480d47f326f5da8602.png" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85702/bloomingorchid/8747708ab55398480d47f326f5da8602.png" border="0" /></a></div>Blooming Orchidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16041027797578605465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-363552709744463825.post-16704213502899388182009-09-24T13:35:00.001-04:002009-09-30T17:25:55.623-04:00An Ode to the StairmasterCough...cough...cough...ahem...clearing throat....testing mic...one...two...three...<br />
I felt compelled to write a poem declaring my love for the stairmaster. Please don't copy my work. It's authentic and written from my heart. Here goes:<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Oh Stairmaster</span>!<br />
How I <span style="color: #6aa84f;"><strong>love thee</strong></span> so!<br />
The sweat you cause is so plentiful; I sometimes have a mouthful<br />
Feel the pain!<br />
Love the burn!<br />
Lift the buns!<br />
Sweat and tears mix together to remind me of just how unfit I remain<br />
And yet you love me so - you receive me with open arms whenever I enter the gym's domain.<br />
Your rolling hills bring me to to the brink of collapse - <br />
You revive me with a brief rest when I can go on no longer - <br />
Yet you push me through each workout as if it's my last<br />
Over and over I return for more love and pain<br />
Ever seeking it, never getting enough from you. <br />
Your smooth motor draws me to you - <br />
I long for you. I CRAVE you. <br />
Oh why can't I get enough?<br />
And when will my butt be tough?<br />
Oh Stairmaster! How I love thee so! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSO2Kj-LugCELnSvvjukjNKOaDY5lKUoBxEt8qxs2H5jxjbFXfCjheoIvYy9yOR8ivLezvH3zucWdcn3oSGALiF3shVvjvE9GL_knH9FcsZ9UCLn9ugPzx_zBFKDtck-i6RLy7LElA18M/s1600-h/love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSO2Kj-LugCELnSvvjukjNKOaDY5lKUoBxEt8qxs2H5jxjbFXfCjheoIvYy9yOR8ivLezvH3zucWdcn3oSGALiF3shVvjvE9GL_knH9FcsZ9UCLn9ugPzx_zBFKDtck-i6RLy7LElA18M/s320/love.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD79spzJGe77qlaYY44pT3nooJITAALl3YaM5MjcGFC2kuZFx4iyHQnpk_MZm_87jwaS_O5tZWjYm6OhUPw5ffLqIwKzxAgYxoR2A-HKsTvR9kbtySJ0y-bw8Z1BDzwCjUd4DA7ofhkmc/s1600-h/stairmaster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD79spzJGe77qlaYY44pT3nooJITAALl3YaM5MjcGFC2kuZFx4iyHQnpk_MZm_87jwaS_O5tZWjYm6OhUPw5ffLqIwKzxAgYxoR2A-HKsTvR9kbtySJ0y-bw8Z1BDzwCjUd4DA7ofhkmc/s400/stairmaster.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>--------------------------------------<br />
Gratitude Journal<br />
1. A day off tomorrow for a glorious long weekend in Ocean City with the Flowers and family<br />
2. Glute pain that's manageable (and strangely enjoyable!)<br />
3. Remaining injury-free, in spite of attempts to increase speed<br />
4. Sassy red toenail polish on what's probably the last open-toe day of the season<br />
5. A delectably delicious and calorie-friendly Spinach wrap for lunch and side-salad<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85702/bloomingorchid/8747708ab55398480d47f326f5da8602.png" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85702/bloomingorchid/8747708ab55398480d47f326f5da8602.png" border="0" /></a></div>Blooming Orchidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16041027797578605465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-363552709744463825.post-35384078119803930882009-09-19T12:10:00.002-04:002009-09-24T13:40:39.574-04:00Another Great Race!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF2lG-aq6LMn53BmnoQFIvk8K-FaUVxDjzdad9D9-ME6mNHbY3n7De0vkoJMMDRRmlZepi6cZaz-yvS0tbD8xF9muVk_Ei4BtACcfsQMV2vioKos00w_5YN2Rx-RnRqOaeEm9YIZIa-q8/s1600-h/navyfederal+5k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF2lG-aq6LMn53BmnoQFIvk8K-FaUVxDjzdad9D9-ME6mNHbY3n7De0vkoJMMDRRmlZepi6cZaz-yvS0tbD8xF9muVk_Ei4BtACcfsQMV2vioKos00w_5YN2Rx-RnRqOaeEm9YIZIa-q8/s320/navyfederal+5k.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>Today I ran in the 17th Annual Navy Federal 5K Run/Walk. It was a beautiful day and I enjoyed the race with many of my colleagues whom I have grown quite fond of. There's something that bonds people together after spending hours and hours in the gym together, sweating and working hard to improve one's physical fitness. <br />
<br />
It was a great race, winding through the beautiful strees of Vienna, Virginia. The weather was absolutely beautiful - picture perfect. There were lots of lovely homes to admire (my favorite kind of eye candy) and just enough people to keep it interesting. The Morning Meeting Notes that our VP sends out every morning shared that 400 people had registered for the run, but lucky for me, I don't think there were quite that many people in attendance. Large crowds of runners still make me a bit nervous, but this was manageable! All the runners were very respectful of each other's space and the competitiveness, while still present, was not overwhelming. <br />
<br />
And the best news of all is that I shaved two minutes off my last 5K time with a net time of 36:12, an average of 11:39. My first PR! Woo hoo! Now if I can just get a 5K done in 30 minutes, I'll be happy. Actually, I'm quite happy now. I wanted to finish upright and on my feet, with some evidence of time improvement and I'm happy with my two minutes! I'm slowly getting faster!<br />
<br />
Today will be a great day, as Daisy is coming down to spend the day with the Flowers and I. A bit of shopping is in order. Marigold is going to cook on the grill so the eating will be good tonight! <br />
<br />
----------------------------------<br />
Gratitude Journal<br />
1. Marigold cooking on the grill tonight!<br />
2. Running in the sun, knowing I'm a child of God<br />
3. Finishing a 5K and my first PR!<br />
4. Feeling great in my size 14 jeans!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85702/bloomingorchid/8747708ab55398480d47f326f5da8602.png" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85702/bloomingorchid/8747708ab55398480d47f326f5da8602.png" border="0" /></a></div>Blooming Orchidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16041027797578605465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-363552709744463825.post-42608792020975499922009-09-18T20:48:00.006-04:002009-09-18T21:44:33.204-04:00I Survived! And Enjoyed It!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjitMVemBiDnwSmVviJf5mbmqIwszE8I6tT_iH6M0Ld6-MJyLuu-gds_7v9BfiAt9htbvJcmpSjXq7RK2ZE3u7u66SaqOXe74gcD2Vz9HTzeqcTirFsggNEBwDnjhOIYiitQmGBZymFuwY/s1600-h/10K.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjitMVemBiDnwSmVviJf5mbmqIwszE8I6tT_iH6M0Ld6-MJyLuu-gds_7v9BfiAt9htbvJcmpSjXq7RK2ZE3u7u66SaqOXe74gcD2Vz9HTzeqcTirFsggNEBwDnjhOIYiitQmGBZymFuwY/s320/10K.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>My first 10K was a success. It was a very well-organized race put on by the South Fairfax Chamber of Commerce. You can see the race pictures slideshow <a href="http://southfairfaxchamber.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=81">here</a>. I'm in slides 16, 17 and 18. In slide 16, you can get a good look at me doing my deep yogi breathing, the way I begin every run. <br />
<br />
It was actually a great deal of fun. I think I've turned into one of those nutty runner - a person who enjoys pushing my mind and body to the limit with the competitive sport of running. I'm still not much of a competitor, I've said it before and I'll say it again: I compete against no one but myself. In running my first 10K I made no PR and I certainly broke no records, but I thoroughly enjoyed myself. There was a gentleman who ran pretty much the entire race while juggling five red balls. And he lapped me! Gee whiz. Talk about a show off! I guess he was my entertainment. <br />
<br />
Lucky for me, <a href="http://www.piedmontmassage.com/">the Piedmont School of Massage</a> was one of the sponsors and treated the runners to short massages after the run. That was such a wonderful gift - it was truly priceless. Thanks to my massage, I had no soreness and no joint stiffness. <br />
<br />
My final time was 1:18. I'm still a turtle, but a soon to be very fit and trim turtle. <br />
<br />
Tomorrow I'll be running in Navy Federal's annual 5K. It should be lots of fun and I'll be in good company as there are 400 registered runners. <br />
<br />
Week 1 of the 40 Pounds By Christmas Day, So Whatdoya Say Challenge has come and gone. I've lost one pound toward the effort. I met my weekly goal, so I'm feeling good about that. My total weight loss is now at 51.5 pounds. At least it was before I ate three slices of pepperoni pizza for dinner! <br />
<br />
Keep on runnin' yall!<br />
<br />
-----------------------------------------<br />
Gratitude Journal<br />
1. Life and love<br />
2. Running and the mental clarity it brings<br />
3. My Flowers and the joy they bring me<br />
4. Healthy food and clean water<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85702/bloomingorchid/8747708ab55398480d47f326f5da8602.png" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85702/bloomingorchid/8747708ab55398480d47f326f5da8602.png" border="0" /></a></div>Blooming Orchidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16041027797578605465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-363552709744463825.post-22605864296149841122009-09-16T20:57:00.003-04:002009-09-18T21:33:46.562-04:00Going For Broke: My First Half-Marathon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIgl9NZeWHOIQWF8mCZ5WZR2VLe5ogOW_bKKMZPc3LFwGYhr3NlSl_xRMCATrPd7lFWwAp8l_k_QujT4-ocotdhZvxRqiMxJoK5C0K2u9EXL48TsveoQ9wkNgar3iWclutC_0UNyT5o9Q/s1600-h/13.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIgl9NZeWHOIQWF8mCZ5WZR2VLe5ogOW_bKKMZPc3LFwGYhr3NlSl_xRMCATrPd7lFWwAp8l_k_QujT4-ocotdhZvxRqiMxJoK5C0K2u9EXL48TsveoQ9wkNgar3iWclutC_0UNyT5o9Q/s400/13.1.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>I'm doing it!! I see absolutely no reason to put this goal off until 2010. I readily admit that I'm going to need a lot of emotional support and perhaps I'll even need to pay someone to help get me physically ready, but in spite of all this, I know I want to do it more than just about anything right now. <br />
<br />
The official date of my first half-marathon, the <a href="http://www.racetimingunlimited.org/raceinfo/BG08info.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1">VA Runner Blue and Gray</a> will take place on Sunday, December 13 2009. <br />
<br />
This gives me 12 weeks to prepare my mind, body and spirit. I've found a training program that I plan to begin on Monday. I can't wait. I'm so excited I could just about burst! <br />
<br />
--------------------------<br />
Gratitude Journal<br />
1. Goals<br />
2. Life and love<br />
3. A job that allow me the flexibility to leave and get my Flowers when illness strikes<br />
<br />
Keep on runnin' yall!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85702/bloomingorchid/8747708ab55398480d47f326f5da8602.png" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85702/bloomingorchid/8747708ab55398480d47f326f5da8602.png" border="0" /></a></div>Blooming Orchidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16041027797578605465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-363552709744463825.post-51491896862554312662009-09-11T09:36:00.001-04:002009-09-11T09:37:08.368-04:00New Challenge!40 pounds by Christmas Day!! Join the fun! You know you want to!!! <br />
I found this challenge on <a href="http://www.weightwatchers.com/index.aspx">weight watchers </a>community boards. I believe it's the perfect solution to my desire to bake and eat lots of warm comfort foods as the weather begins to change. Not only is my craving for baked goods spinning out of control, but my weight loss has slowed down some. I did manange to finally rid myself of the six pounds I gained celebrating my birthday last month, and I also lost another half pound bringing me to another decade! While I'm not bold enough to advertise my current weight here, I will reveal that I've lost a total of 50.5 pounds since August 29, 2008. <br />
<br />
I need to make a plan for this - this challenge is serious business! The challenge officially began yesterday, September 10 and will end on December 26th. That's 15 weeks away. <br />
<br />
Here's the description of the challenge: <br />
With the holidays around the corner, we need to get ourselves ready, emotionaly and physically. I want to shout from the roof top, "Hey Ol' man I've stayed on the Plan. I've lost 40 pounds, how does that sound? I'm not hungry and I'm not fat, so what will you put in MY sack?" Sorry, I couldn't resist. I want to have a weekly check in with weekly challenges to keep us accountable for ourselves, the good and the bad. So what do you say...Are you ready to shout? <br />
<br />
Who's with me? Keep on runnin' yall!<br />
<br />
----------------------------<br />
Gratitude Journal<br />
1. Savoring the last juicy red strawberries of the season<br />
2. The excitement I feel about my first 10K race tomorrow<br />
3. It's FRIDAY!<br />
4. My Flowers successfully made it through their first week of 4th and 1st grades, respectively.<br />
5. Making decorating plans and daydreaming in Michael's for the perfect autumn touches for our house<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85702/bloomingorchid/8747708ab55398480d47f326f5da8602.png" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85702/bloomingorchid/8747708ab55398480d47f326f5da8602.png" border="0" /></a></div>Blooming Orchidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16041027797578605465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-363552709744463825.post-61742837466580290532009-09-09T10:42:00.000-04:002009-09-09T10:42:14.663-04:00Lawd Help Me!I'll be running my first 10K race (6.2 miles) this Saturday, in the <a href="http://www.runwashington.com/news/1636/314/South-Fairfax-Chamber-of-Commerce-Sponsors-Life-Without-Limits-10K-Run-to-Benefit-United-Cerebral-Palsy.htm">South Fairfax Chamber of Commerce</a> Sponsors Life Without Limits 10K Run to Benefit United Cerebral Palsy.<br />
<br />
I've been working hard in preparing my mind and body for the race. I've discovered what lots of runners already know and it a secret no one tells beginner runners: one of the greatest challenge of running is keeping one's mind occupied during the event. Sure, 3 miles goes by in a bit more than a flash, but anything longer than that, and it really helps to have something solid to think on, i.e., world peace or how to be truly satisfied with only 1250 calories per day. All joking aside, it really boils down to quite the mind game or mind trip, however you prefer to call it. <br />
<br />
It is truly harder for me to push myself mentally into that sixth mile than it is to convince my cranky hip flexors that they can handle the pressure. For you experienced road runners out there, what tips can you share with me on keeping my mind occupied during longer runs? <br />
<br />
Tonight I will run five miles to further prepare myself. My longest run to date is 5.5 miles, so the 6.2 miles on Saturday will be a nice challenge for me. The weather is supposed to be cooperative (no rain please!!), so that should make it pleasant.<br />
<br />
My only goal is to run to finish - I'm not out to set any time records, not that I could even if I wanted to. <br />
<br />
Keep on runnin' yall!<br />
<br />
---------------------------<br />
Gratitude Journal<br />
1. Running keeps me healthy and happy<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85702/bloomingorchid/8747708ab55398480d47f326f5da8602.png" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85702/bloomingorchid/8747708ab55398480d47f326f5da8602.png" border="0" /></a></div>Blooming Orchidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16041027797578605465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-363552709744463825.post-27802826491728653672009-09-07T09:16:00.001-04:002009-09-09T10:44:05.630-04:00Love, pain, loss and celebrationClick on the post title to go to the article or visit it here <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/09/08/ny.funeral.wedding/index.html">cnn.com</a>. How my heart grieves for this couple. As a long-time married old lady and knowing all too well how difficult it can be to maintain a marriage, I understand the technicalities of staying true to and in love with a partner. Add to this being a good parent at the same time. It is definitely harder at some times than others, but always a challenge. <br />
<br />
Today I celebrate their love, unshaken despite their tremendous loss. I embrace their willingness to honor their child's wish that they should become one in marriage. <br />
<br />
Their story has me convinced that perhaps love <i>does</i> conquer all. Even death, I suppose. Love and death - that's pretty much what life boils down to.<br />
<br />
----------------------------<br />
Gratitude Journal<br />
1. A decent public education for my Flowers<br />
2. A schedule that's just busy enough to keep me stimulated<br />
3. Going down another pants size (14 now!)<br />
4. Marigold and his love for me<br />
5. Clean water and healthy food choices<br />
<br />
Keep on running' yall.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85702/bloomingorchid/8747708ab55398480d47f326f5da8602.png" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85702/bloomingorchid/8747708ab55398480d47f326f5da8602.png" border="0" /></a></div>Blooming Orchidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16041027797578605465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-363552709744463825.post-37341450765334038722009-08-31T08:16:00.003-04:002009-08-31T08:24:50.763-04:00Black Hair, Still TangledProbably as a result of the new film, <a href="http://www.goodhairmovie.net/">"Good Hair,"</a> the NY Times has written an article exploring the battle lines that is black hair. Article <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/27/fashion/27SKIN.html?_r=1&pagewanted=1">here</a>. <br /><br />Never knew it could get quite so complicated, didja? <br /><br />--------------------<br />Gratitude Journal<br />1. My Flowers are back in town!<br />2. Sharing a bed with my monkeys, getting little sleep, but enjoying the closeness<br />3. Love<br />4. A quiet Sunday that allowed me to clean house from top to bottom. Spick and Span.<br />5. A job to come back to this morning<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85702/bloomingorchid/8747708ab55398480d47f326f5da8602.png" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85702/bloomingorchid/8747708ab55398480d47f326f5da8602.png" border="0" /></a></div>Blooming Orchidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16041027797578605465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-363552709744463825.post-57684986783575633152009-08-29T15:10:00.005-04:002009-08-29T15:46:55.247-04:00Still Water Runs Deep<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5BSgbBfM7uReji_HwglLwJ4w-mYRwaqa8eu6tpuvf9j9ZycKtNfr8syy7wvZfN3JG5_MaKORF2uZxf-09a2b-JUiq0Q8Y2BNmStNKsAhWfXkY-kbA15J9kvY8bNqVAgerYjiLRCBgex0/s1600-h/Still_Waters_Run_Deep_.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 197px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5BSgbBfM7uReji_HwglLwJ4w-mYRwaqa8eu6tpuvf9j9ZycKtNfr8syy7wvZfN3JG5_MaKORF2uZxf-09a2b-JUiq0Q8Y2BNmStNKsAhWfXkY-kbA15J9kvY8bNqVAgerYjiLRCBgex0/s400/Still_Waters_Run_Deep_.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375472610653289218" /></a><br />No, I didn't fall too far off the deep end, although it has been a while since I last wrote. I fell into a bit of a pity party, although it was a short one. I had to kick my no-fun guest out fairly early (that would've been me!) and ended the party early in the game before the blues set in. I didn't like my down-in-the-dumps attitude, so I had to quickly get back to positive self-talk and remind myself why eating properly and exercise are so important - much more important than the numbers on the scale. <br /><br />Speaking of the scale, I have not boycotted it. I have made an executive decision that I will not weigh myself weekly, as I did while on Weight Watchers. I weigh myself bi-weekly, or every other Friday. This method works for me, as weekly weigh-ins became a significant source of stress and anxiety. Besides, I'm only interested in long-term weight loss and the weekly weigh-in seemed to show more micro or minute gains or losses that I believe are a normal part of life. Water weight, sodium, and hormonal weight seems to come and go every 2-3 days for me, so weighing every seven days seemed to more dramatically highlight those gains/losses that I may have not been able to avoid. <br /><br />I weighed myself on yesterday, and while I was somewhat upset to see that I have not lost the entire six pounds I gained while over-celebrating my birthday, I have shed three of those pounds. They've reported to me that they're happy with their new home. I've given them the green light to remain with their new host. I will not need them to return and I don't miss their company. <br /><br />Today I decided to treat myself to a different workout: water aerobics. Actually, it was unintentional, as I had only planned to swim laps and then sit in the whirlpool and relax my over-taxed muscles, but as I was finishing up my swim, the lovely water aerobics teacher invited me to take part in the class. What a treat it was! When she told me it combined deep- and shallow-water activities, I was worried someone had developed a plot to rub me out by drowning, but when I saw the buoyance belt each participant wore, I realized it wasn't a hit on my life. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJtgIJqaI3EjjOGtXp3Dls-q7ub0VbNQ-EuuKS7-DNNNrjPA6-ZaByJqe2cvgBBk9acdiuwzgkoVMr-vkrZRVJp07qFm9UjPXdVYz-Qn4TTIctT8s2ia_r9U3zuX-o48or2rtMWp1n-ls/s1600-h/water+aerobics.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 90px; height: 107px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJtgIJqaI3EjjOGtXp3Dls-q7ub0VbNQ-EuuKS7-DNNNrjPA6-ZaByJqe2cvgBBk9acdiuwzgkoVMr-vkrZRVJp07qFm9UjPXdVYz-Qn4TTIctT8s2ia_r9U3zuX-o48or2rtMWp1n-ls/s320/water+aerobics.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375473010104521826" /></a><br /><br />The class incorporated water weights and noodles (for resistance) and various activities including swimming and running in place for cardio. It was a great class. I definitely felt I got a great workout and with minimal soreness, as in the water, I'm weightless. The other ladies in the class were lots of fun as well, hooting and hollering to each other and laughing at our frequent confusion over exactly what the instructor was asking us to do: "Legs where?" "Weights or noodles? Neither? Oh, okay." <br /><br />Yesterday I ran four miles on the dreadmill. I'm still loving the running, but I also understand the importance of participating in other physical activities, i.e. the water aerobics, which will only enhance my running and endurance. I'm committed to running a minimum of 20 miles per week, while also participating in other cardio and strength training in an effort to shed these last 30 pounds. These pounds can't find their way to new owners too soon!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBdg5U4AH2OCQtA5pCJYQb-1FxwOI5xCEdDz2uu-0AM_5ztIdqFGOMbOcY2b9Ys4YXw25VW77uRWQ599O5-LbKrTJQFN558-jZ0lintEz2Ro-YgzAy1d9ewawLSFBIGMrCdGzymS4q8IE/s1600-h/Kelly+August+2009+005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBdg5U4AH2OCQtA5pCJYQb-1FxwOI5xCEdDz2uu-0AM_5ztIdqFGOMbOcY2b9Ys4YXw25VW77uRWQ599O5-LbKrTJQFN558-jZ0lintEz2Ro-YgzAy1d9ewawLSFBIGMrCdGzymS4q8IE/s400/Kelly+August+2009+005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375474470202139346" /></a><br />----------------------------------------<br />Gratitude Journal:<br />1. Water aerobics and the cleansing effects of playing in the water<br />2. The Flowes will be back home tomorrow after a week with their Grandma and cousins<br />3. Getting stronger and feeling it<br />4. My quiet house to myself today and tonight<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85702/bloomingorchid/8747708ab55398480d47f326f5da8602.png" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85702/bloomingorchid/8747708ab55398480d47f326f5da8602.png" border="0" /></a></div>Blooming Orchidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16041027797578605465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-363552709744463825.post-54040025849692393122009-08-15T11:27:00.003-04:002009-08-15T11:45:24.985-04:00Holy Crap<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx_8TeuoQzpyGfvomRNtr4vIUcHxTGbel-QB4qpn_PA_fJJ9vfNL9X_sjggKttV89nCuSKv0Ou7BLtXg8tPh51Fh-wCSo1jLVs0dgfAB6eBMVaqdPq773PrvDW7G2qFzSC1hAbj5eMjaA/s1600-h/6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 130px; height: 130px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx_8TeuoQzpyGfvomRNtr4vIUcHxTGbel-QB4qpn_PA_fJJ9vfNL9X_sjggKttV89nCuSKv0Ou7BLtXg8tPh51Fh-wCSo1jLVs0dgfAB6eBMVaqdPq773PrvDW7G2qFzSC1hAbj5eMjaA/s400/6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370217100936473874" /></a><br />I got on the Tanita scale at work yesterday (as I do every other Friday) and my weight is up six whole pounds. So much for celebrating my birthday responsibly! Holy Schnikey, Bat Man! It's time for some serious reconfiguring and recallibrating. <br /><br />Time to revisit (seriosuly) journaling my food and beverage intake and counting points. <br /><br />Well, if only it were that simple. I have to go through the motions of convincing myself I'm worthy of losing those six points and getting my eating back on track. No more Burrito Bowls from Chipotle for me. <br /><br />In order to make it home yesterday, I had to stop for gas. I stopped at a gas station and loaded up on my "screw it, it's Friday night and I just got fat" cravings: salt and vinegar potato chips and an industrial sized box of Dots. I got home and immediately proceeded to eat the entire $2.19 bag of chips leaving my tongue a raw and irritated oversized worm in my mouth then proceeded to start on the Dots. I could only get through about half the box before the desire to sleep overcame me. I had put myself into a salt-induced coma.<br /><br />In a mattef of about eight hours, I had transformed myself into a self-defeating, eating all the wrong crap, loser on a self-destructive mission, MESS. I felt fat, unworthy, confrontational, ugly and sleepy.<br /><br />Today has been better, so far. I woke up and hit the dreadmill with the plans to run five miles. I only made it through four before I decided enough was enough. My tongue still felt raw and swollen, making my run long and uncomfortable. <br /><br />Still four miles is four miles, right? I didn't make my goal, but there's always tomorrow. <br /><br />So much for my self-loving, 'I deserve to be thin' mantra and foolishness from Thursday. I feel like a fat fraud today. With a swollen and irritated tongue.<br /><br />That's what getting on the scale and seeing a HUGE gain will do to your self-esteem: throws it into the trashcan of your self-esteem. <br /><br />I'm going to eat some more dots. Than take a nap. Blah. <br /><br />--------------------------------<br />Gratitude Journal<br />1. Running four miles even though I felt like crap<br />2. Knowing that God loves me, despite my shortcomings<br />3. It's Saturday! No matter how bad my day is, I'm at home<br />4. Rose's first sleepver tonight with her best girlfriends<br />5. Breakfast on my deck in our new deck furniture: pure bliss<br /><br /><br />Keep on runnin' yall.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85702/bloomingorchid/8747708ab55398480d47f326f5da8602.png" border="0" /></a<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85702/bloomingorchid/8747708ab55398480d47f326f5da8602.png" border="0" /></a></div>Blooming Orchidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16041027797578605465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-363552709744463825.post-49300540760371677512009-08-13T09:01:00.006-04:002009-08-13T09:24:08.192-04:00I Deserve to Be Thin and Healthy<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3EvCeYeXiuiKPfpKFmD34yziIoP70NszKsr8HrC3dkwwT5iPqV4N1HYCIsFwqE8kah1I0bSzkcMiqkUIncnCgaBqDL4hoT1k_exEBAcUkj7RVLZ8M9bSWa2YUWysUHd7GitgSUr1gMRg/s1600-h/I+DESERVE.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 120px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3EvCeYeXiuiKPfpKFmD34yziIoP70NszKsr8HrC3dkwwT5iPqV4N1HYCIsFwqE8kah1I0bSzkcMiqkUIncnCgaBqDL4hoT1k_exEBAcUkj7RVLZ8M9bSWa2YUWysUHd7GitgSUr1gMRg/s400/I+DESERVE.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369438579576981506" /></a><br />I squeaked out four and a half miles on the dreadmill yesterday. Again, I made up my mind how far I would run and I ran it. It took me a smidge over an hour, but it was a great investment in my body and my healthy future. My middle and back are sore, despite a good amount of stretching before and after my run, but hey, I'll take it. It means I had a good workout. No pain, no gain, is that still the rule of thumb?<br /><br />I'll readily admit to struggling with my food intake again recently. As Oprah said about her weight, "I can't believe I'm still talking about this!!" I've been blaming it on my birthday (and over-extended celebration of it), but in reality, I know it stems from a lingering self-defeating need to sabotage my weight loss efforts. As soon as it registered in my thick skull that I had lost a total of 50 pounds, the desire to sabotage kicked in and I've been eating more than I need and craving really stupid, unhealthy things (puffed Cheetos, for example - but so far, I've been able to avoid actually eating them; I just think about them regularly). I've been overindulging in cake and cupcakes and baked goods in general and right now, I'm sucking down a sugary-sweet iced latte from McDonalds. I'm proud to say that I did manage to avoid a breakfast menu item from there, but the coffee called my name and I convinced mytself I deserved it because I had sat on I-495 for over a half an hour with a zillion of my Washington area neighbors as a car wreck inconveniently occupied two lanes of traffic. I never drink crap like this. Well, not never, but very rarely. Most mornings it's fiber cereal with a banana and hot green tea with Spleda and honey. Today I had oatmeal and this coffee drink think loaded with enough sugar to send a diabetic into a coma. <br /><br />Anyway, I'm struggling right now. The mantra that was in my in-box this morning was exactly what I needed to kick myself back into mental gear and lose the rest of this weight. <br /><br />I'm going to adopt it as my mantra for the coming days and weeks of struggling with food and consumption. You can read it here (I've modified it some to meet my needs):<br /><em>• "I deserve to be healthy and thin!"<br />• "I have a great healthy body!"<br />• "I've had plenty of food today, my body is healthy!"<br />• "I love my body and it's important to me that I take good care of it!"<br />• "I like to diet, I feel in control of my life!"<br /><br />It's only food! It's just a meal...you are going to have another one in a few hours! Eating is not an event! ...it's not a hobby! ...it's fuel!<br /><br />I understand you LOVE to eat! BUT, you prefer to look good in your clothes, feel self confident about the way you look and be healthy!<br /><br />There are NO advantages to being overweight!<br /><br />Not only do you cause yourself to be a victim and suffer everyday, you shorten your life span considerably!<br /><br />Being overweight isn't healthy! Obesity is responsible for 325,000 deaths every year!<br /><br />Starting and staying on a diet that's healthy means having a plan!<br /><br />You have nothing to lose (except unwanted fat), and everything to benefit!<br /><br />Diet and get healthy! The world is kinder to you when you are kinder to yourself (this was reinforced through my therapy session recently, I'm slowly starting to realize it's true)!<br /><br />Diet and get healthy! It's great to be fit! Diet and get healthy! This is not a dress rehearsal! <br /><br />This is your Life!</em><br /><br />I love this. Not only am I posting it here, I've also created a Word document with it and I plan to frame it and keep it somewhere visible. <br /><br />*Taken from <a href="http://www.meditationsforweightloss.com/">Meditations for Weight Loss - Your Daily Meditation</a> Please stop by, they send regular e-mails that are full of motivating tips and affirmations. It's free! <br /><br />Keep on running!<br /><br />----------------------<br /><br />Gratitude Journal<br />1. Running and knowing it's making me healthy<br />2. Coffee drinks that insert caffeine in super speed<br />3. Safe travels<br />4. Summer camp payments are over!<br />5. Daisy and her love for me and the Flowers<br />6. Projects at work that I enjoy<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85702/bloomingorchid/8747708ab55398480d47f326f5da8602.png" border="0" /></a<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85702/bloomingorchid/8747708ab55398480d47f326f5da8602.png" border="0" /></a></div>Blooming Orchidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16041027797578605465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-363552709744463825.post-64184237868974160202009-08-10T17:46:00.007-04:002009-08-10T18:16:35.460-04:00It's my Birthday And I'll RUN If I Want To...Yup, but only three miles. I decided that I'd run today, despite (or more like in honor of?) the fact that it's my birthday. You see, running has truly become a passion for me. When I don't do it, I feel cruddy. After I run, I feel elated, but sometimes a bit sore. The soreness is like a drug for me; instead of being repelled by it, I want more of it! Although, I'll admit, this pain in my left butt cheek has become just that: a pain in the ass. When I mentioned it to Daisy, she wondered if it could be sciatic nerve pain, but I don't think so. It feels entirely muscular. And it's only in my left cheek. And it always strikes up after I've been seated for at least 30 minutes. Perhaps more stretching is in order post-runs. I've been dealing with the pain in the cheek for about four weeks now. I'll be honest, when I first felt it, I liked it. It was almost sensual. Now it's just plum irritating. Maybe my butt muscles are building up and I'll have a pretty perky rear-end one day? That'd be quite nice.<br /><br />Today, when walking back to my cubicle from the gym (obviously, hence my big blue gym bag), a colleague stopped me and asked, "Working out on your BIRTHDAY?" with a look of mock surprise on her face. "Of course!" I replied. I'm with it for LIFE, didn't I tell ya? This lifestyle change takes no notice of the days on the calendar. Last year I squeaked out three miles on Thanksgiving day (while running up and down the sidewalks of a major highway, might I proudly add) so I see no reason to skip my birthday. It is a great day for me, but it is after all, just another day!<br /><br />Besides, all the adult beverages, fried chicken (Um hum, yes I did), cupcakes (not all that out of character for me), chips and salsa, and assorted other crappy foods I ingested last week and weekend, I kinda needed to run my big ass on the treadmill today!<br /><br />Today is my birthday. It was a great birthday. Yeah, I was on my grind, but my lovely colleagues made it a nice day for me by decorating my cubicle, and chair and phone, taking me out to lunch at Nordstrom Cafe (I had one of the best salads EVER!), shoving chocolate cake down my throat (as if!), and singing happy birthday to me, it wasn't all that terrible. In addition, I worked on a project that I truly enjoy, so the day went by in a blink. <br /><br />Along with me, I celebrate my birthday with my youngest Flower, Chrysanthemum. Yup, six years ago today after celebrating my own birthday with a cook-out, I gave birth to my own birthday buddy. Chrysanthemum is six today. Here we are just before we head out to Chuck E. Cheese (why is she crying and refusing to smile? Because she's SIX, remember???) <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSL7BYxRfPuf3fQj943zHtxPzBykUX7oVfS2BFlI0eYenejYc8-LiSA4xMb46zvB0FXHCDSspA0DGuAy4fGIKGKkZ3iE3Jd_KnDlw2UDuItktZ0H1hMoL5diJcfPKSP9q_H5OBcznOS38/s1600-h/Birthday+Buddies.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSL7BYxRfPuf3fQj943zHtxPzBykUX7oVfS2BFlI0eYenejYc8-LiSA4xMb46zvB0FXHCDSspA0DGuAy4fGIKGKkZ3iE3Jd_KnDlw2UDuItktZ0H1hMoL5diJcfPKSP9q_H5OBcznOS38/s400/Birthday+Buddies.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368460467133467954" /></a> <br /><br />An ode to Chrysanthemum:<br /><blockquote></blockquote>You are cute as the day is long. You can make even the meanest old man smile with your wit and humor. You can throw a look that can kill; you can smile like the best of all flirts. Your sense of style is creative and clever. You know what you want and never settle for less. When I carried you in my womb, I sensed you would be a force to be reckoned with. Never one to disappoint, you are true to your innate self: strong and sassy. Your sense of who you are astounds me, makes me proud and fills me with adoration and admiration. No matter who's around or watching, you are you. Always yourself. Always in bloom. You will always be loved. Happy birthday to my forever birthday buddy.<blockquote></blockquote><br /><br /><br />----------------------------------<br />Gratitude Journal:<br />1. Colleagues that make a Monday birthday at work bearable<br />2. Chocolate birthday cake<br />3. Chrysanthemum - my forever Birthday Buddy<br />4. Running and knowing that one day, I'll get faster<br />5. Salads with strawberries and candied pecans<br /><br />Keep on runnin' yall.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85702/bloomingorchid/8747708ab55398480d47f326f5da8602.png" border="0" /></a<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85702/bloomingorchid/8747708ab55398480d47f326f5da8602.png" border="0" /></a></div>Blooming Orchidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16041027797578605465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-363552709744463825.post-37144451606158045222009-08-09T12:34:00.004-04:002009-08-10T18:18:03.722-04:00Don't Bother Me - I'm Crabby<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5L8mBLEzBeTzQZ4eA8qYgdjRSgBbGo_tRafMdfzam2W19Wi8cbzEQIdwtefNMX82s9x47bHpmSkTK4lhG_TWyv8ROipYL4vlpNL58I-Fr_MJQMi7lJS9h8mxDgfVNHHTkOViud5BvMH8/s1600-h/Birthday+Weekend+009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5L8mBLEzBeTzQZ4eA8qYgdjRSgBbGo_tRafMdfzam2W19Wi8cbzEQIdwtefNMX82s9x47bHpmSkTK4lhG_TWyv8ROipYL4vlpNL58I-Fr_MJQMi7lJS9h8mxDgfVNHHTkOViud5BvMH8/s400/Birthday+Weekend+009.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367725402420835282" /></a><br />Not really, actually, I'm crazy-ass happy right now, as I stare into this delectable pile of steamed crabs. I'm a Maryland girl at my core, and I don't know if you know it or not, but crabs and football, that's what Marylander's do best!! <br /><br />Love me some steamed crabs. One of life's true delectables.<br /><br />Keep on runnin' yall.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85702/bloomingorchid/8747708ab55398480d47f326f5da8602.png" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85702/bloomingorchid/8747708ab55398480d47f326f5da8602.png" border="0" /></a></div>Blooming Orchidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16041027797578605465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-363552709744463825.post-2337708360899809292009-08-08T17:23:00.000-04:002009-08-08T18:40:12.176-04:00Traaaaaaaaaaaaacyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnK2bXx96BsNqKpyHEejzLiHrC_XiRNAwwEFnZKxBhbyQNgfbem2K4V9n9aIqNxcOCmR8_oFen3O4Opv64EAikgf1UwuGYpYd6Zmn-lRyT1r0lowTnLYeRiP9_43-n5_Fj0UCMYyQc2NE/s1600-h/Birthday+Pic.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnK2bXx96BsNqKpyHEejzLiHrC_XiRNAwwEFnZKxBhbyQNgfbem2K4V9n9aIqNxcOCmR8_oFen3O4Opv64EAikgf1UwuGYpYd6Zmn-lRyT1r0lowTnLYeRiP9_43-n5_Fj0UCMYyQc2NE/s400/Birthday+Pic.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367723945302899250" /></a><br /><br />That would be Tracy Chapman. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWGsvBKJKh6AHZc5HxjKfhrh-V12BttusGSXScNEZsRFvphAWwFxU5LuqAsVYg6vLYwfAW_PogbJ6h_0PdhOl7CK2oyAH3JH9Zd-nfd1ds1uSYzpq3KsGckYvqosQ2JpZnajb0E9p-ih4/s1600-h/Tracy+Chapman.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 114px; height: 86px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWGsvBKJKh6AHZc5HxjKfhrh-V12BttusGSXScNEZsRFvphAWwFxU5LuqAsVYg6vLYwfAW_PogbJ6h_0PdhOl7CK2oyAH3JH9Zd-nfd1ds1uSYzpq3KsGckYvqosQ2JpZnajb0E9p-ih4/s320/Tracy+Chapman.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367726248192300674" /></a> <br /><br />Marigold lovingly got me tickets to see her tonight at the 9:30 club. I'm very excited. I've been buying and listening to her CDs since I had my first stereo at the ripe old age of 14. I've loved acoustic guitar since my uncle strummed it for me as a small child. How could you not love her haunting voice and quest for peace and change? <br /><br />Here I am preparing to head out for a night of pre-birthday fun. I got a fast car, wanna come with? <br /><br />Have a great weekend, everybody. And keep on runnin' yall.<br /><br />-------------------------------------------<br />Gratitude Journal<br />1. Music - balm for the soul<br />2. Marigold and his never-ending love for me<br />3. Chipotle Burrito Bols<br />4. Kid-free weekends<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85702/bloomingorchid/8747708ab55398480d47f326f5da8602.png" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85702/bloomingorchid/8747708ab55398480d47f326f5da8602.png" border="0" /></a></div>Blooming Orchidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16041027797578605465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-363552709744463825.post-37555562052133510202009-07-30T10:19:00.006-04:002009-07-30T10:46:54.904-04:0050<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3aPxshEoH5cry6Lod817B5WAB3vPeRAOJnfs27fE_DNonA2e7f_zA5NffSf_VKFBVXL9r5SMm0eFcRA_LUNi4pIVlkBPNeOcZsn2UwNzYX7mkaPZCrgCh8t_7hPMrHromRS1aUQ59rHk/s1600-h/50+pounds.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 120px; height: 106px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3aPxshEoH5cry6Lod817B5WAB3vPeRAOJnfs27fE_DNonA2e7f_zA5NffSf_VKFBVXL9r5SMm0eFcRA_LUNi4pIVlkBPNeOcZsn2UwNzYX7mkaPZCrgCh8t_7hPMrHromRS1aUQ59rHk/s400/50+pounds.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364264678742612546" /></a><br />This is what 50 pounds of sugar looks like. Gone FOREVER!<br /><br />Today I gleefully announce my 50 pounds weight loss. In honor of my tremendous success, I'm going to buy myself a bouquet of the prettiest flowers I can find tonight. I feel so good right now, like I'm walking on air. <br /><br />How has blogging influenced or been influenced by my weight loss? Well, I definitely feel an obligation to share with you, my devoted readers, of how I've been doing. I love sharing my tips, techniques and trials with you. I think there's strength in numbers and transparency keeps me more honest. I think there's definitely a connection between the two, but I'm not completely sure of what that connection is. <br /><br />What I do know for sure is that I while I've created a healthy future for myself and the Flowers, I still have a few pounds I'd like to lose. My desire to see ONEDERLAND and remain there is very strong, stronger than ever. My desire for fattening/processed foods has decreased tremendously and it has become much easier to talk myself out of the foods I once craved and lusted after. However, I do still indulge in my favorites occasionally. My whole family is healthier as a result of my efforts and we all think about the foods we choose before we eat them. Spinach is a constant staple in our diets and we've all grown to adore it. I like to think that I'm creating a healthy future for the Flowers and for Marigold, God forbid if ever there's a time when I'm not around to nudge them in the direction of healthy food and beverage choices. <br /><br />My running has become a passion for me and just last night I squeaked out five miles on my beloved dreadmill. I made up my mind that I'd run five miles and I did it. Simple as that. No drama, no crying, no weeping and moaning, just blissful running (and a blistered foot, but nobody's too inconvenienced by that, least of all me). I turned off my iPod and decided to jam to the various music channels on cable. That was a nice change and seemed to keep my motivation and perhaps my speed up. I'm still quite the tortoise, but I remain okay with that. Five miles is five miles, KWIM??!<br /><br />-----------------------<br />Gratitude Journal<br /><br />1. Faith and love<br />2. My Flowers who keep me inspired<br />3. Fresh fruit and vegetables<br />4. Clients who strive for something more<br />5. Greeting cards that make me happy<br />6. Seeing the numbers on the scale continue to go down<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85702/bloomingorchid/8747708ab55398480d47f326f5da8602.png" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85702/bloomingorchid/8747708ab55398480d47f326f5da8602.png" border="0" /></a></div>Blooming Orchidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16041027797578605465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-363552709744463825.post-34359661296401226522009-07-28T12:26:00.007-04:002009-08-08T18:32:40.744-04:00Wish I Had the Nerve to<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_ovHBjKP8NvFnSPSRYFrWwtNyU8hX5_AkIRBLGCl68k3QK7zhL1Ol9YtuJyfTAU4L2mydM5qbPCoVlHhc0-Dp50QX8WyhZCFFj5vbba1uUwNSi6ojK1ykcMNR9uVql4QAqgTeTQ4hQQ/s1600-h/Solange-Shaved-Hair.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_ovHBjKP8NvFnSPSRYFrWwtNyU8hX5_AkIRBLGCl68k3QK7zhL1Ol9YtuJyfTAU4L2mydM5qbPCoVlHhc0-Dp50QX8WyhZCFFj5vbba1uUwNSi6ojK1ykcMNR9uVql4QAqgTeTQ4hQQ/s400/Solange-Shaved-Hair.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363548524954517826" /></a><br />From <a href="http://fashionbombdaily.com/2009/07/beauty-verdict-solanges-new-shaved-hair-style/">the Fashion Bomb</a> and <a href="http://highlytextured.blogspot.com/">Blessed and Highly Textured</a><br /><br />...shave my head and sport a lovely short natural like Solange Knowles. She clearly said, "Take it ALL off!" I love celebrities who buck the system. I think it needs to be shaped up, but that's also a sprint after perfection and who has time for all that striving for perfection crap the media keeps shoving down our collective throats?<br /><br />Ahhh, I'm waiting patiently to grow some quijones and head back to the barber shop and raze mine off again. I did it once before, in preparation for my lockdom. Now Marigold says he doesn't want the short look on me again. <br /><br />What do you think of her look? <br /><br />---------------------------------<br />Gratitude Journal<br />1. I'm grateful I ran four miles yesterday, it left me energized and feeling good about myself<br />2. Rainier cherries. So sweet and tasty!<br />3. A mental health day on Friday<br />4. Feeling good in my skin<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85702/bloomingorchid/8747708ab55398480d47f326f5da8602.png" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85702/bloomingorchid/8747708ab55398480d47f326f5da8602.png" border="0" /></a></div>Blooming Orchidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16041027797578605465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-363552709744463825.post-19767130450774545442009-07-26T13:27:00.003-04:002009-07-27T14:14:51.868-04:00Challenge<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7OkaEqUQzy_d9FSoQOobHoXmritpUPO_agzLMEqfIbNKsycjcbSme8sDJqabunj3RQg8ae3Ol4BSJHZhqMKupSHeO1AxABGhvB4Xh2aU8m4SsgCn5-3qa0aAZWWAock18ckFzaeKLEko/s1600-h/weekly+challenge.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 78px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7OkaEqUQzy_d9FSoQOobHoXmritpUPO_agzLMEqfIbNKsycjcbSme8sDJqabunj3RQg8ae3Ol4BSJHZhqMKupSHeO1AxABGhvB4Xh2aU8m4SsgCn5-3qa0aAZWWAock18ckFzaeKLEko/s400/weekly+challenge.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362113350968622738" /></a><br /><br />Stay motivated in your weight loss efforts by giving yourself small rewards throughout the process. Break your goals down into smaller, more manageable chunks.<br /><br />Looking at the big picture can be intimidating. If you have a lot of weight to lose, realistically, it could be a long road ahead until your reach your goal weight. It is important to reward yourself throughout your weight loss journey to stay motivated and inspired.<br /><br />First, set up your long-term and short-term goals for your weight loss efforts. These goals should be personal and focus on the things you need the most improvement on.<br /><br /><strong>Long-Term Goals</strong><br />Long-term goals are important for the big picture. You should have a vision of your final goals. What is your goal weight or size? What will it feel like when you reach this goal?<br /><br />Examples of long-term goal rewards include: a weekend vacation or cruise, a new wardrobe in your new, smaller size, an update to your look, a large piece of workout equipment, etc.<br /><br />Once you have this image of your end result, break it down into smaller chunks.<br /><br /><strong>Short-Term Goals</strong><br />Short-term goals can be all the bits and pieces that collectively bring you to your long-term goal. They can be related to weigh loss, food, exercise, water intake and other areas of personal improvement.<br /><br />The key with short-term goals is to set <em>small, achievable goals</em> and reward yourself <em><strong>frequently</strong></em>. Create a simple chart to track your progress and watch as your rewards quickly add up, giving you another reason to stay on track.<br /><br />You have to break the habit of rewarding yourself with food. It will be easier to adapt if you put something else in its place.<br /><br />Examples of small rewards include: workout clothes (my personal favorite), running shoes (now a necessity), a massage, a manicure/pedicure, a book, CD or DVD, dumbbells, medicine ball or resistance bands, costume jewelry, heart-rate monitor watch, craft supplies, etc.<br /><br />Stay motivated in your weight loss efforts by giving yourself small, meaningful rewards throughout the process. Break your goals down into smaller, more manageable chunks.<br /><br /><strong>Some examples of short-term goals are</strong>:<br />Reaching a weekly cardio limit, staying within your daily calorie range, drinking 8 or more cups of water per day, reaching a 5-pound weight loss, reaching a 5-inch loss according to a tape measure, and creating and completing challenges.<br /><br /><strong>Using Rewards for Motivation</strong><br />It can be difficult to stay on track with your weight loss program if you feel deprived. Deprivation often occurs when people cut back on calories and increase their exercise while working on lifestyle changes.<br /><br />Try using small rewards to stay motivated. The reward should be pre-determined and something you are willing to work for. Rewards should not consist of food.<br /><br /><strong>Examples of small rewards include</strong>:<br />Workout clothes, running shoes, a massage, a manicure/pedicure, a book, CD or DVD, dumbbells, medicine ball or resistance bands, costume jewelry, heart-rate monitor, a watch, craft supplies, etc.<br /><br />Soon you will work harder and stay on track because you will look forward to treating yourself to these rewards as you work towards your long tem weight loss goal.<br /><br />Your challenge this week is to make yourself a list of:<br /><strong>Short-term goals and rewards</strong> and <strong>Long-term goals and reward</strong>.<br /><br />Blog about it, use pictures and leave a comment on this post so that others can see your goals. <br /><br />Keep on running!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85702/bloomingorchid/8747708ab55398480d47f326f5da8602.png" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85702/bloomingorchid/8747708ab55398480d47f326f5da8602.png" border="0" /></a></div>Blooming Orchidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16041027797578605465noreply@blogger.com0