Tag Archives: hello.iamphat

#NaBloPoMo, Blog Luv!

I’m #1468 !!!!

Hello Luv-lies,

Just checked my email and found this!!

I’m #1468!  on the NaBloPoMo list!!!

“!!!! BAM !!!!!”… The excitement of participating in this community has just been kicked up a notch!!

#1468!!

#1468!!

Now, I’m really pumped up!!!!   See You, again…. soon….

So Luv-lies,

What’s got you pumped up today?

Standard
WeekEnd Luv

HaPPy SAtURdaY

Put Your Feet Up.... It's Saturday !!!!

Put Your Feet Up…. It’s Saturday !!!!

Good Morning Luv-lies,

Happy Saturday…. hope that your week has been a productive and rewarding one.

I tell you, for me, this week has flewn by – like a flock of birds heading south for the winter!   It’s been a week of mostly goods and ……. not so goods  okay, so when it wasn’t good, it was reeeealllly bad!

Well, let’s get to it…..

The Week’s ‘Good’ Stuff…  {starting with the most important first :-)} :

My Little Ones.... Luv Them Babies

My Little Ones…. Luv Them Babies

Spent almost two hours video chatting with my three Grands…. affectionately referred to as ‘My Little Ones’.  I LUV them babies!!!

My six year old granddaughter (that’s her with the awesome make-up on the left) read me a story from one of her favorite books.  That was amazing!  While she was reading, I had a ‘light bulb moment’.  She was really reading! Not from rote, but, really reading with passion and emphasis.  WOW!!  She is growing up so fast….

Her oldest brother, my four year old grandson (he’s the one with the amazingly infectious smile on the far right side of the picture), also growing far too fast, sang me his rendition of  the ‘ABC’s’.  It took some coaxing – I had to sing it first… incorrectly.  He was in and out of a few small tantrums during the chat.  My silly rendition of the ‘ABC’s’ helped him out of it…  Besides, I he’s so proud of himself when he done.  And, of course, I am major scale proud of him!  I have a feeling that reading is on the very near horizon…. Yey!!!!!!

Then there is my youngest of the bunch (he’s the cutey in the middle).  He’s two years old but I swear that he’s been here before.  If he were just a little taller, one would think that he is the oldest.  He takes over! And, I have a sneaky suspicion that because he’s the youngest, his brother & sister let him take over –  but not for too much longer!  He likes to be the ‘holder of the phone’.  Because he talks in ‘two year old speak’ most of the sounds that I hear while he’s holding the phone is heavy breathing.  He’s soooo damned cute!

During most of this, my daughter was preparing dinner.  So I got to be the ‘virtual’ babysitter (hey! how did that happen? :-0).  But most importantly, I had a chance to visit with my family, who I miss soooo much!

More Goods!!!

My Weight Watchers Dashboard

 Seven months of Weight Watchers and commitment to moving my arse has rewarded me in several ways.

I’m down 0.4lbs {that’s 15lbs closer to goal}

Several garments that have been hanging in my closet – still with price tags and size tags (of a smaller size than I was seven months ago) – now fit –  with plenty of extra room – Whoa Hoo!!!

And most, inspirational and humbling….  at work, a few of the Ladies have been very complimentary (and forthcoming) with compliments on the amount of weight that I have lost and how ‘good you look, girl’.  Their compliments have been, among other things, encouraging and flattering.  They have been so inspired, that, we have decided to form a support group where we focus on healthy weight loss and healthy lifestyle.  They have appointed me as the mediator of the group.  Again, I am truly humbled and flattered.  There will be loads of posts about this group…. can’t wait to get started!

More Good Stuff !!!

I ran 36 miles this week!!!

I ran 36 miles this week!!!

This week, I’ve run a total of 36 miles!!! YEY ME !!!!!!!!!

                                           ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ohhhhh   Soooooo   Baddddd   Stufffffff !!!!

Im' Out of Control!!!

Im’ Out of Control!!!

I over ate !!!!!!  Yes! that was reallllly bad…. but not until Thursday.  And only on  Thursday !  I usually don’t touch my 49 Weekly Points that the WW program allows, but, not only did I eat my allotted points, I ate ALL of the 49 Weekly Points – In One Night!!! …..  whhhhhaaaaat!?  …… riiiiiiiight!

I did recover on Friday.

And the plan today is to STAY ON PROGRAM!!!

……… That’s my week, Luv-lies,

How was your week?

Standard
Liquid Luv

Get Naked with It…..

Image

Hey Luv-lies!,

I confess!

Despite all of the recent hoopla that this juice has generated……
I luv! luv! luv! fruit juice! In a smoothie, over ice, on a cold day, and especially when it’s oven hot outside!

So, needless to say, I was overjoyed when, during one of my many runs to the coffee shoppe, I discovered ‘Naked’ Juice. At 3 PointsPlus per serving (that’s per 8 ounces) , and described as a ‘Power Garden. Packed with Veggies. Downright Delicious.’, this tasty palate pleaser doesn’t fail to delite.

Want more juice smoothie options? Our own ‘Hungry Girl’ has done a great blog post... Check it out 🙂

Are you a fruit smoothie junkie? I’m dying to know your favorite…

Do Tell…..

Standard
C25K Workout

C5K: WORK OUT DAY#1

20130713_074641Hey Luv-lies,

Today is the second conditioning day in preparation for my Labor Day-ish 5K race.

Day one was this past Saturday, where I met with the team of eight women (who are also training for the same goal… who will , from this point on, be loving referred to as ‘The Sisters’ in crime :-). Our morning began at 7:30am at the fitness center ( I; however, did not get the text and went trapsing over to the track at 7:30.

Missed completing the necessary “I won’t hold the fitness center liable if I’m a complete klutz and hurt something while training…. and any pictures taken of me and used for marketing and advertising purposes will not result in a summons for financial compensation” paperwork that the others filled out back at the fitness center. I didn’t get out of it completely…had to fill it out once they arrived at the track ;-).

We started with some basic techniques in how to use the foot while running; in order to avoid injury. Geesh, I thought that running was just walking, just at a faster pace. You mean there’s a ‘way to put your foot down’? I immediately began to think ‘…I’m in for a long eight weeks….’

The ‘foot thing’ was then followed by the 30 minutes of lunges, abdomin work (several sets of planks, bicycles, and hovers) and multiple variation of squats….
It was at this point that the silence and reserve that was first shown by ‘The Sisters’ transformed into all out moans of agony and resistence. And this is just Week One, Day One!!!!!

I’m certain that they had swimming around in their heads was the same question that I had… “when does the running begin?” and “is it going to be this bad, too”?

Question answered soon enough….

Next up… my First Timed Mile… running! In an attempt to not let the fact that I had not run in over three years get into my head, I convinced myself that it couldn’t be ‘all that bad…. right’? With the conviction and determination of a child taking their first steps, I gulped a mouthful of ice water, activated my RunKeeper App, slapped in my earbuds (maybe the sound of music will ease the pain….gulp) and at the command of the Trainer, took off on my run.

Ten minutes and forty-five seconds later, I was cruising… YES! Cruising past the one mile marker with greater ease (and confidence) than I initially gave myself. After another lap around the track – the ‘cool-down’ lap, I waited at the side lines for the rest of ‘The Sisters’ to cruise through to the finish.

After another round of leg and abdominal work, lasting this time for only fifteen minutes, I was proudly on my way to the nearest coffee shop….

I had done it! I completed Day One of Week One of this C5K training!! Not bad for a fabulously fifty-ish woman living a fit, healthy lifestyle while giving this aging thing a run for its money!!!!!

What have you proudly accomplished over the last few days?
Do tell….
Standard
My Weight Loss, The Weight-ing Game, Weight Watchers ... The Way I See It

Everything from here is ….. downhill

I've reached a 25 pound weight loss !!! YEY ME!!!

I’ve reached a 25 pound weight loss !!! YEY ME!!!

 

Hello Luv-lies, 

Happy Sunday…

Great News from the ‘Green Seats’ !!!!

Major celebration today…..

I’VE REACHED MY HALFWAY POINT TO LIFETIME GOAL!!!!

((((YEY ME)))) !!!! 

Five months into this re-commitment to a healthy, physically fit lifestyle, I am elated with the news that I am twenty-five pounds (that’s 50%) closer to my goal weight.

The Meeting Leader asked me to share what I attributed to my success. Now, I’m not one that is talkative during our half hour meetings- instead, I prefer to quietly benefit from the group offering; however, with what seemed to be all eyes on me, offered this small tidbit of my success….

…. to what do I owe this success….
Ownership & Commitment *period*

I’ve finally owned the fact that I am solely responsible for living a healthy, fit lifestyle. And that no matter how many fitness magazines, dvd’s, fitness programs, that I watched…. No matter how much I wished for a toned, curvy, cellulite-free body…. Until I committed to the change that I sooooo longed for, I would forever remain in my fitness ‘dream’ world!

….. and VOILE’…. 25 pounds down!

So Luv-lies, ……to what do you owe your successes?

Do tell……

 

Standard
Goals, My Weight Loss, The Weight-ing Game, Weight Watchers ... The Way I See It

WEIGHT…! That’s The Wrong Direction…!!

126dcf5c22a84fee9b308b89cd984ea2_2

Good Morning Luv-lies,

I’ve been absent for a minute…. just a brief minute 🙂

I’m sure that this has, or will (at some point in your journey) happened to you….
you’ve been tracking, getting in enough physical activity to smile *widely* about,… just plain ol’ working ‘The Program’.

You know, successfully on your way to that pot of gold at the end of this proverbial rainbow. When….. everything, either, comes to a screeching halt! or/and the weight seems to be creeping back on….’GO FIGURE’ ! 😦

I knew that I was not going to be special enough to escape the always spirit-breaking ‘plateau’, but boy I darn sure was not ready for it this soon!!!

“I JUST CANNOT BELIEVE THAT I’VE BEEN SPINNING IN CIRCLES FOR THE LAST FOUR MONTHS! … YES!!!! FOUR WHOLE MONTHS!!!
….please accept my apologies for yelling….* demure smile*

Our friend, Alzabees over at “My Little Pumpkin Muffie blogged about it, not once but twice…. and I still was not ready for the deflation that must be part and parcel of this whole ‘plateau-ing’ thing….

Now, I have not spent the last two months brooding ~ only the last two weeks….
After about three days of attempting to figure out the possible reasons that I’m in stall mode, I decided to focus on some things about the last two months that have been, well, quite fruitful.

So here is ‘The Fruit’ among ‘The Stall’:

* My arms, thighs, calves and abs have become much more toned

* The tuning of the above muscles have resulted in a total lost of almost 10 inches

* I am down two more dress sizes…. *yippee!!*

* I am a half shoe size down (that equals one whole size since starting the program
…..does that mean I get a new pair of ‘Choos?’)

* My family’s, friends’ and co-workers’ compliments are almost followed by..
“…. girl you’ve gotten small enough…” (…. and I’m literally at the halfway
point in my journey!!! YEY! ME)

* …. and overall, I must say that I ‘I feel MAH-VA-LOUS’

So I guess the lesson to self is to find the sunshine in every plateau… because standing still has its perks….

Have you reached that plateau? How did/would you handle it?
Do tell…..

Standard
Farmer's Market, Food, Mindful Eating

Garlic Scapes and other Farmer’s Market Goodies

Garlic Scapes and Farmer's Market GoodiesThe area Farmer’s Market is slowly growing. I was more successful than last week with my marketing efforts :-). The sites and smells are ‘to die for’ and with so many fresh produce items to chose from, dinner should be easy and nutritious.

Thank goodness that I did not bring more than $40 – I wanted to buy some of everything! Here are just a few things that I did put in my bag….

** Organically grown lettuce
** More of that oh-so delish homemade Chai Tea
** Garlic Scapes {never heard of them, but, according to the vendor, you use them
just like you would use a green onion…okay.}
** Fresh homemade chicken salad {all of the ingredients brings that to 6PPV –
that’s with the fresh homemade roll. YUMM}
** Organically grown strawberries, turnips, kale greens and rutabaga
** Spice-infused couscous and black bean soup

Not bad for a 30 minute walk through the market….

What’s on your plate tonight?
Do share

Standard
Food

How About this Crazy Weather …. and …. Today I Found Out 10 {Interesting} Food Facts

Good Morning Luv-lies,

questions please
I hope that you have had many successes this week 🙂

It’s been a trying week (and that’s an understatement) for everyone across the states, as far as the weather goes. Blazing heat on one coast, that has resulted in seemingly uncontrollable spontaneous fires. The tornadoes seem to never stop, especially for our friends in the mid-west and (surprising for some) along the northeastern seaboard. All this unsettledness and uncertainty can easily lead to (well understood) anxiety, discomfort and unrest – to name a few.

In light of all of these “what in the world is happening?” weather occurrences, I hope that all of you have been able to maintain some sense of normality in your life (in general) and in your weight-loss efforts (specifically).

…… now onto something lighter….

Today I Found Out…. 10 Food Facts…

#10 Unless food is mixed with saliva, you can’t taste it
# 9 Keep fresh fruits and veggies, like asparagus, refrigerated at 40 degrees
# 8 The seed inside of a peach contains an almond-like nut which holds a potent
anti-cancer medium call Laetrile. However, claiming that laetrile was
effective and toxic, the U.S. medical community successfully persuaded the
FDA to ban it in 1971
# 7 Rosemary Oils can be used as a natural meat preservative
# 6 Pear is a fruit that ripens from the inside out
# 5 Cayenne pepper increases the metabolism
# 4 Lemons contain more sugar than strawberries
# 3 You would have to walk 9, yes 9, miles to burn off the calories of a Double
Whopper w/ Cheese….. *YOWZA!!!!*
# 2 Actually a fruit, it took a ruling by the Supreme Court in 1893 to make the
the tomato a vegetable

….. and….. *drumroll please*……

# 1 Fast Food restaurants use: yellow, red and orange because
those colours stimulate hunger ….

…. a little something for the weekend….

Add your {Interesting} Food Facts….

ENJOY!

Standard
Inspiration

INsPIrAtioN Saturday

inspiration saturday: dreamHappy Saturday Luv-lies,
Remember the days when you knew that, if you dreamed it; there was no doubt that you could make it happen?
With all of the challenges that comes with youth – adventure, belief, hope, self-confidence, self-assurance, a healthy dose of fear and believing all that you dreamed of – were not insurmountable obstacles. …..remember those days?
How about if we make a pact to believe in all that we can dream of…. no matter how seemingly ridiculous. Sometimes the inspiration and creativity that happens when we dream is far more energizing than make the dream come to fruition. Let’s agree to enjoy the energy produced on the way!
Hey Luv-lies, are you in?
Do Share……
….and have a GREAT Saturday!

                        

Standard
W.T.W.!!!!? {What the What!!!?}

I Was Ambushed by a Pizza

pizza monsterHello Luv-lies,

It’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed a slice {and in this case, 2 slices} of one of my favorite types of pizza – MEAT LOVERS! …. Well, if your going to eat it, it may as well have the kitchen sink on it.. right? *coy smile*

My abstinence has been for no other reason than that I’ve really not had an craving/taste for pizza. Today I craved. And I ate. Now, pre- WW days I would have devoured four pieces of this mouth watering treat. But today, I was satisfied with half of that – and a cool 22 points!

I just have two things to say about this:

(1) Mmmmmmmm Mmmmmmm Good!, and

(2) Thank Goodness for the extra 49 weekly points  ! {I very seldom use them, but this day, I am sooooo glad that I have them!}

What sinfully delicious treat did you use your 49 extra points on this week?

Do tell…..

Standard