Workin on mah Fitness….

 

It seems that me being a slow poke with posting is becoming a habit.  Sorry about that for those who do read!  You know how it can get this time of year and I still have some loved ones that are ill.  I still have tons of ideas and stuff I’m working on but just haven’t had the time to sit down and get it out to you!  Today’s post is going to be really long to make up for it. 

Since becoming Lifetime at WW, I’ve had a lot of people (even my own family!) ask me how I have maintained my weight.  The simple answer is: eat right and work out.  Of course we all know that. But if it were so easy to do then we’d all be at our ‘perfect’ weight right?

The longer version of this is well—long. The first and MOST important thing to me after reaching my goal at WW was: What’s next?  I have listened to many WW'ers who have been there 3 or 4 times because they stop going to meetings after they reach their goal.  I made a promise to myself that I would continue to attend meetings AND weigh in (even though I don’t have to) to keep myself accountable.  That’s the big thing for me.  If I am forced to be held accountable, I will do better.  Plus, I enjoy the meetings to see my friends who I have met there.  It’s also a great source of motivation, which is another biggie on my list.  When I am having a down day or a bad weigh in, there are people there who have been through the same thing and can offer support.  My DH has never had a weight problem in his life so he wouldn’t understand it at all.  And it’s wonderful to hear other’s successes.  It spurs me on!

Now the the main thing and it’s a MUST for me.  Working out.  Before WW, I was a half-asser at working out.  I did it, but never consistently and never for very long.  I wanted a better body but I didn’t feel like doing the work to get it.  It was hard work, duh.  Harder than I wanted to do at the time.  Well, once my weight became WAY higher than I wanted and I joined WW, I knew I had to get more fit.  For some people, they don’t have to work out and just eat better and the weight comes off.  I am so NOT that person.  I realized that I NEED to work out to see improvement in my weight and my body. 

My evolution in fitness started out slowly. I had decided to just work out at home for one thing.  I had never really enjoyed the gym and I would rather just go home and do it and then jump in the shower.  No packing a bag, no racing to and from the gym.  I have (still do!) the FIRM DVDs with various steppers etc.  I started doing the videos when I started with WW and they were so hard! I could barely get through 20 minutes without feeling like I wanted to die!  Slowly, I built up to getting through all of the video at least 3 times a week.  And the weight started to come off a little faster.  But then I got bored.  Anyone with ADD (or knows someone with ADD) knows that boredom = death.  I need to change it up to keep myself interested.  So I started trying out other videos like Jari Love. And I started enjoying fitness again.

Then the dreaded plateau came.  It came with a vengeance and didn’t want to leave for a long time.  I often went home from meetings in tears or else I was fighting mad (ask my friends there!).  I was so mad at the damn scale.  I was following WW to the letter, working out diligently, but nothing to show for it.  I spoke with my leader at the time, who said that maybe I was too focused on my food and being too hardcore.  She was right.  I have a tendency to hyper-focus on things when I get really into them (a hallmark of ADD).  She suggested that I not be so worried about my food intake and eat a little bit more.  That maybe my body was fighting me and hanging onto weight.  Good theory but I was SO scared to eat a bit more after losing that first 10%.  But at this point, I was so frustrated I was willing to give it a try.  DH and I went away to a wine festival that weekend and I ate a bit more and drank wine and enjoyed.  When I came back I lost 1.2 lbs!!!  Yay!

Changing it up is essential.  I do get into phases where I like to eat the same things every day and will often do this for weeks at a time but then I realize I need to change it up.  That was true for exercise as well.  My body was getting used the FIRM and Jari workouts and quite frankly, I had progressed to another level.  I was ready for something else. 

Enter weights.  Both the FIRM and Jari extolled the virtues of weights but I never really thought about it until I realized that the cardio and light weights I was doing was just too easy for me now. I’m also a magazine whore and saw a copy of Oxygen at the grocery store and picked it up.  A little mini-epiphany occurred. These girls (look at Jamie Eason above!) were not overly muscled; they were sleek and tones and HOT looking!  The body I was hoping to get somewhat close to!  Oxygen focused on those who wanted to get fit and healthy.  They not only advised lifting weights, but HEAVY weights.  Heavier than I ever lifted before.  I was scared—I didn’t want to look beefy or make my legs BIGGER!  But if these girls lifted heavy and looked that good, I should be able to do it too right?

I started with my research.  I’m always a voracious researcher before I get down with something.  I have to read reviews, check out websites and get opinions before I commit.  I lurk on several message boards, one of them for fitness.  Many of the posters there loved Chalean Extreme.  After trying a few different other DVDs I decided to try Chalean.  I had done some of her Turbo Jam workouts and loved her energy so I figured I would probably like this program.

Success!!!  Chalean Extreme is totally different to those of you who just do cardio all the time.  It’s HEAVY weights, heavier than I ever have lifted in my life.  But it works!  After my first go-round, I actually had muscles you could see!!!  I was so excited!  I felt so strong and confident.  And that was just using 8lb dumbbells!  The DVDs come with a schedule, a great book explaining everything to you and recipes too.  The DVDs are not very long, maybe 45min at the longest.  But you will feel it.  Be prepared to be sore, really sore if you haven’t done weights before.  And take it easy---start out with light weights and build up—no need to injure yourself. Chalean has the people in her DVD at all levels, from beginner to advanced. 

I will be honest with you.  As much as I love Chalean Extreme, I’m getting ready for something else.  But I will always keep this one near by to go back to as it provides GREAT results.  I ordered Turbo Fire a while back and tried it with Chalean Extreme in a hybrid schedule. But I had to shelf that for a bit.  I was really lazy when I was laid off and was nowhere near ready to do that intense of a program!  I feel like I am ready now to start the hybrid again. 

The other thing was that I got really into Zumba classes as well. They are so fun and get you moving and you definitely SWEAT!  My work has a good program with a gym that I believe I am going to join.  I am so scared to join a gym.  I think it must be that fat girl in me who thinks everyone is going to laugh at her and think “what is SHE doing here?”.   I figured I don’t have anything to lose since I am going mainly for the classes like Zumba.  I’m not so sure I would venture into the weight room because I have no idea how to use the machines and I would need a leader to help me out on that.  Plus—I love DVDs—they have a start and end point and keep me focused.  I do plan on seeing what it’s all about though.  I have a TON of old Oxygen mags I could use  to pull together a routine that would work for me.  Just super nervous about it.

Wow---that was a super long post—thank you for reading if you made it this far!!!

I would love to know some of your fitness stories, ideas or tips. Especially for a first time gym-goer.  I’m probably going to join tomorrow through work and then check it out this week.    So feel free to pass them on!

Latest Favorites…

 

So I have been a very bad bad blogger! Or a bad kitteh as I tell my kittehs when misbehave!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween!  With the rain we got here, there were hardly any kids that came for candy.  Maybe 25?  Lots of candy left over, which I am hoping DH puts out of my sight so it’s out of my mind. 

But I’m back with some finds for you! 

Can I say how much I just love Etsy again?  I’m amazed by the talent of the artists there and also the talent of the vintage sellers who seem to have an eye for things I just don’t. 

I admit it—I’m a boot whore.  DH says I have enough boots for an eternity but I love finding new and different pairs.  I’d rather wear boots in the winter than any other shoes---warm and stylish.  I’d been obsessing over finding a great pair of grey tall boots.  I already have a shorter pair but really wanted grey.  Of course, every pair that I had my eye on was $400 or more.  FAIL.  So I checked Etsy and found these beauties:

 

I got them from afternooncoffeespoon. They are just retro enough but also not too retro and I loved the slightly Westernized look.  The price was fantastic so I snapped them up.  They arrived last week and I’ve already worn them twice.  Fit perfectly! Cannot say enough about Cris’ shop and her lovingly wrapped package she sent the boots in!  There are also other great items in her shop as well. (Not affiliated, just appreciate good vintage!)  When I wore these to work, I received 3 compliments! 

Another Etsy find was this necklace below from sariahbelle . 

This little beauty had been on my Etsy wish list for sometime and I admit I kinda forgot about it.  But I realized how much I needed a necklace with blues in it as the color blue makes up a big part of my wardrobe.   Look at all the cool old buttons she used to make it.  I’ve worn it 3 times already and it goes with so much in my closet.

I also admit to being a scent lover too.  I like to layer different lotions and perfumes to get my own individual scent.  When the leaves start to fall I’m on the hunt for a thicker body cream to keep my skin soft. The air seems so dry in the winter and since I shower twice a day (once in the AM before work and once after working out—I’m a sweater!) I am always putting the lotion on so I don’t get the hose. LOL

Anywho---I finally placed an order with Haus of Gloi. A message board I regularly lurk on has nothing but raves for HOG.  After having a somewhat unhappy experience with an e-tailer with a well known turnaround time issue, I decided it was time to try something new! And had received a trial size from a Secret Santa swap. I was hooked on the scent, Twice is Nice. I ordered up some Twice is Nice pumpkin butter to see how I liked it.  The whole site is filled with intriguing and unique scents!  My butter was in my mailbox in less than a week and with minimal shipping.  I LOVE THIS STUFF!  It’s thick but not greasy, all natural (no parabens), moisturizes my skin for hours!  And the scent is vanilla-y goodness with a bit of comfort thrown in.  Here’s a pic of the butter from their site:

After that I placed another order for the Pumpkin Eater pumpkin butter which is the PERFECT fall scent.  I have layered with a few different perfumes and it all smelled heavenly.  Now I’m jonesing for the Ghost Puffs pumpkin butter since I’ve heard how great and marshmallow-y it smells.  Also eyeing Vice pumpkin butter since it looks like it has a S’mores scent.   These would make great gifts for friends who love a good lotion.  I know a few people on my list may be on the receiving end of a package!

Have to share a new fave recipe as well:

Starbucks Pumpkin Scone recipe.  Love the time of year when Starbucks has these scones.  I’m not a Starbucks person on a regular basis, but I meet up with my WW friends before our meeting to BS about life and if these are there I always make sure to get one to split with another friend (AFTER we weigh in of course!).  I found this recipe and had to try it out.  Here’s a pic of how mine turned out below:

The only difference is that I didn’t use the glaze they did.  I melted cinnamon chips instead and drizzled over the scones.  I would also recommend that you bake them for less than the recipe indicates.  Mine were a little done on the bottom, at least to my taste.  But I took them to work and they were gone instantly.  Everyone said they were delish!!! 

Also wanted to update on my little room project I mentioned.  The room is slowly getting cleaned out.  I am working on it a little teeny bit a day.  Just would like to get my curtains ordered and my paint ready.

Did you have any good finds lately?  

Coveting….

I haven’t yet decided if Pinterest is the best invention ever or the devil in disguise.  It give me wonderful ideas but makes me want to shop and spend even more (if that’s possible!!!)  I can always find a fashion idea, a decorating idea or a ‘hey I never thought of that!’ idea. 

Here’s what I’m coveting this week:

Vintage fashion advertisements—DH redid one of our bathrooms for me in black and white with a real vintage vibe.  The walls are kinda naked for me so I am looking for the right kind of artwork to hang.  I just love the idea of vintage ads like the Chanel one above. I think that this would look so pretty in a silvery frame on the wall and add some class to the bathroom.

Zig Zag Curtains—I’ve seen these popping up on blogs and site everywhere lately! In my slow as molasses attempt on fixing up ‘my room’, I’ve been pinning wishlist items for weeks.  I came across a bunch on Etsy and found a sweet seller at La Fortune Linens who will most likely be making some for my strangely shaped window.  We have a 60’s ranch that has windows that are placed higher up on the walls and I want curtains that don’t hang to the floor.  Plus, I always seem to want something that no one ever has in a store.   I adore the color of these and the design and I think when I get my furniture painted with ASCP in Provence it will look smashing!

 

This top from ASOS—I fully admit to being a sucker for animal print. I have it on belts, shoes, dresses, tops and even a headband! This top is a bit different—kind of a dalmatian print.  The neckline can be worn in different ways and love the cuffs with the full sleeves.  Blair from Atlanta-Pacific (a fave blog) also wore in pattern mixing way.  I don’t know if I could wear it as well as she does (and not to work) but I love her styling of it.  Here’s a pic:

Cobalt Jeans--- As I’ve said before, this is my fave color EVER.  I LOVE these jeans.  The only thing that scares me is the fit.  I will have to go and try them on first.  I’ve got more curves than the model ever will so I’m not so sure they will look good on me.  But I’m willing to try!

Have a great Thursday---what are you coveting?

Our little weekend away…..

Wow---you are getting 2 posts from me in one day!  What does that mean?  It’ means that DH is playing poker tonite so I have more time to write! :)

A few weekends ago DH and I made our annual trip to Maryland.  We’re one of those couples who enjoys Renaissance Festivals (RenFest).  Although---we are NOT the people in the above photo!  That just cracked me up. 

DH introduced me to RenFests when we were first married.  Where else can you shop, eat, drink and see shows in one place outdoors? The whole scene is just fun and I enjoy supporting artists who actually make their own wares to sell.  Much of the artwork and other items in our home are from various RenFests all over the country.  We have everything from fountains to perfume and then some.

When we lived in MN, were certainly were spoiled as that RenFest is the one of the largest in the country.  But when we moved back to Pittsburgh, we were told to visit the Maryland RenFest.   It does NOT disappoint!

We leave early on Friday and take our time driving to Savage, MD where we stay.  Right down the street from our hotel is our must visit restaurant: Frank's Diner.  We learn to always ask the locals where to eat and someone at the hotel suggested this to us. It’s a REAL diner. When I say real I mean it’s a dining car.  The manager told us it was bought in NY and transported to Maryland.  The decor is still the original 50’s, with the stools and booths.  The food is so delish too.  We always stop for a big breakfast and DH loves their biscuits and gravy.  The owner also has at least 6 cakes on her counter in glass cake stands.  This time she had cupcakes and we each tried one, caramel and chocolate.  YUMMMM.   If you are ever in the area, check them out!

On Saturday it’s festival day!!!  We eat and leave early to get there when it opens. Yes, we are the geeks that stay most of the day.  This year, the festival takes place during the time King Henry VII was married to his final wife, Katharine Parr.  Here they are arriving to the festival:

Generally, we don’t plan our day there.  We check out the programs and see what shows look good.   Puke & Snot are never to be missed.  They always make me laugh and they usually break up in the middle of their own show!!

 And of course we love to eat!  There are always tons of great stuff to try.  I had been itching to try deep fried pickles for months and there were here!  So of course I sampled some:

There were delectable.

We tend to get a bit spendy at these festivals, but we always plan and know we are going to spend a bit. This year we got a fountain from Bronze Age Studios.  Last year we got a big dragon light that everyone seems to love. This year I wanted a fountain.  DH wants to keep it in the house this winter but I reminded him some kitties would have the entire house wet if we did that!

We also got a Pirate head pumpkin from the pottery store, some lotions and soaps from our ‘soap guy’ and a few other trinkets.  Mainly we just like to go and enjoy the day there.

On Sunday, we met up with a friend of mine at a wine festival which turned out to be a bit lame but at least the band was good.  Monday we spent at Annapolis.  DH always wears Air Force gear to annoy the Navy guys, esp since AF beat Navy this year in football! 

The best thing we saw was the ‘half Steeler fan’ at the RenFest.  We have seen this little boy before and realized that his mom is a Steeler fan and dad is a Redskins fan.  As long as he’s not a Ravens fan, that’s fine with me!

I finally got a pic of him and had to show you!  I thought it was a pretty cool idea for parents who like different teams.   Never an issue in our house---HERE WE GO STEELERS!

If you’ve read this far—thank you!  

Question—Have you been to a RenFest?  What did you think?

 

 

More Annie Sloan Chalk Paint fun!

 Okay, Okay---I’m late.  I was supposed to show you my latest ASCP project ages ago.  What can I say?  Life got in the way a little bit.  The past few weekends I have zero time for any projects.  My grass barely got cut!  I thought David the Gnome and his little wife were going to move in my yard soon! 

Also, we’ve had some family medical emergencies.  My grandfather is finishing up radiation this week, and my grandmother broke her hip and had surgery today.  The surgery was a success!  And my father in law fell and broke his nose and rib.  So lots going on medically!  Thankfully everyone is okay and I appreciate all of your kind thoughts and words.  It’s just been a crazy few weeks !

But I DID get my next dresser painted.  I won’t bore you with the long details since you can see the long before and after below.   Here is the dresser before:  
And here it is after 2 coats of ASCP.  I did the same as last time—sanded it a bit for distressing purposes and then put my same old Johnson’s wax on thinly.   I thought I may have mixed too much water in with the paint as it seemed more runny than the last time I had used it. However, it still covered just as well as the first time.   I also painted our nightstand but totally forgot to take pics!!  Brain freeze!!  I have to say that our bedroom looks so much brighter and pulled together. 
And to top it off I still have 1/3 of the quart left.  I can hardly believe it.  I’m already planning for my next project, which will be to paint an old dresser in my spare room.  I think I will try mixing the Old White and one of the blue colors together for a pretty turquoise.  The possibilities with this paint are endless!!! I would highly recommend this to anyone, even those who aren’t experienced painters.  Until trying this out, I had only painted walls and one piece of furniture ever.  Now I feel like I can paint anything!  

Linking at: