Showing posts with label big birthday weekend. Show all posts
Showing posts with label big birthday weekend. Show all posts

Monday, April 18, 2011

happy birthday to me!!!


THE CHIROPRACTOR
I'm at week 3 of my visits back to the Chiropractor and I'm feeling great, which shows through my big happy smile.  You really notice a difference when your body gets put back in alignment.  I was glad to mark 0 for my current pain, and learn some information about how my body was aligned late last year when I had my x-rays done-still more work needs to be done to straighten me out properly, but I'm game.  Still no running and light workouts for the next few weeks so were going to review my new routine that I started Monday on the 25th and see how it's working.  I made sure to keep my lower body free from weights and added a jump rope routine and a swimming day to balance out my routine.  I've been slacking on keeping my leg iced as often as I did the first week, but any bit is beneficial.  I've been taking Ibuprofen before my workouts and using biofreeze and then about an hour after I get to work I usually remember to ice my leg.

EATING CLEAN
I've been successful for two weeks now at eating 95% clean and sticking to my meal plan.  I had to make a few adjustments on Monday, but it helped me to add more veggies and made sure to keep my meals simple.  I'm very proud of myself, especially since it's showing in so many areas.  I also started logging my meals again on Monday so I can review how often I've been eating and how much sugar I'm consuming.  I really do want to cut back on added sugar if not totally eliminate it.

I've been enjoying how eating clean makes me feel and that I've been more focused.   I also bought a new meal planning notebook from Staples on Saturday so I can keep all my meal plans and grocery lists together.  I really dislike using loose leaf paper-it's too easy to get lost.  There's better feeling than having a plan when you walk into a grocery store and far less likely to get distracted by non-nutrient rich foods.

BIRTHDAY WEEKEND
I'm so excited to be turning 30 (I can't promise that I'll be this excited next year when I hit 31, but I'm enjoying it so far).  I spent the weekend between the DC area and Fairfax VA with some old friends.  It was great catching up; I even ran into 3 friends who recently moved to the DC area who I used to know from the west coast. 

I surprisingly wasn't sleep deprived and even snuck in a little shopping between dances at DCLX.  I didn't even think about REI being n the area until Saturday evening when one of my favorite dancers from VA mentioned he'd gone that morning for their attack sale.  i lite up inside and Sunday afternoon I skipped the afternoon dance at DuPont Circle and made a visit to REI.  I found a lot of really cute running wear, but nothing  had the right fit.  The GymGirl Ultra Skirt by SkirtSport really appealed to me, but they didn't have my size.  I'm thinking about ordering it, because I think it's going to look cute, but that could just be wishful thinking to. Though this will have to wait another month or two until I catch up on some of my major financial responsibilities.  Adult responsibilities first, then I can reward myself with cute things once I accomplish a new goal/task.

Since DSW was very close to REI I made a very quick stop to check out their Keds. I was  hoping to find the white Keds I bought at Kohl's a few months back, however, I didn't think they would stay white for long with all the snow we were getting so I returned them.  I sadly didn't find them, but  I did find a few of their grasshopper collection (they were only 29.99 at DSW) and tired them on.  They were so cushy and comfortable and after trying a few turns on the carpet decided to get them.  If they could turn this well on carpet then they would be no problem on the wood floor for now until I have an opportunity to find a cobbler to suede them.  I really liked the blue color and style, especially compared to the old version of Grasshoppers I used to own when I first starting dancing.  They were beige and reminded me of nurse shoes..  .

TAXES....
Yikes, can't believe I actually finished mine and two years worth.  Yeah, I know.  Last year was really complicated and there was a lot I needed to get done and just didn't have the finances to get everything done.  Then it just got to the point where I figured it was close enough to 2010's tax time that I would just do them at the same time.  I ended up doing them online and wasn't able to e-file them, but got them mailed out on April 19. I know a day late, but at least they're done!!!  I know I'll be hit with a fine for not turning in last years, but it's my fault for not turning them in and I'll have to deal with the consequences.  Hopefully it wont be a big fine and I'll still get some of my refund back-at least enough to buy my plane ticket to Cali this summer to visit my bf.  

BACK IN TOWN
I finally crossed the PA state line Monday night at 7pm and it took another hour before I arrived home.  I was super glad that I had organized my car and items rather than just throwing everything in a bag, because it made unpacking more bearable.  IT was still a pain as I had 1 duffel bag (Clothing, not including shirts, which were on hangers), 1 yoga bag (dance items), 1 book-bag  (shower and primping items), 1 reusable bag (food), 1 bag (dirty cloths), and 2 pillows, comforter and 2 sheets.   I didn't think I had that much laundry until I started piling it in my hamper and it was overflowing, however laundry had to wait until Wednesday morning. 

Monday, April 11, 2011

my birthday is just around the corner

THE CHIROPRACTOR
I was hoping Monday when I went back to my Chiropractor that he would give me a little more freedom in my workout, but that wasn't the case.  My leg pain has been about a 1 or 2 this week, and it's been hard to remember to ice and I have to keep reminding myself to not increase my workout intensity so my muscle can completely heal.  The pros of the visit is to keep my body aligned and in proper form to prevent future injuries so I can keep running and.It was great to head back and get readjusted again and a back massage, which I really needed.    I also had the benefit of having a shoulder massage to help alleviate some of the stress that's been holding up in my shoulders.  I have another appointment scheduled for Monday (11th) for another checkup and adjustment.

MANTRA
I've been trying to work on my board this week so I can really focus on the power of the word.  I need to really believe that I can achieve my goals and unless I say them out loud and really visualize myself being fit.

Monday night  I was reading an article and the author stated "No matter how much you workout, if you don't make smarter food choices, you will not see that layer of padding around your waist or thighs go away."  I really need to focus on eating smarter.  I just seem to always cave and I really need a way out so I can see the body definition I've been working so hard for every morning at the gym.

Here are a few smarter choices I'm going to work on:
1) Eat only one piece of bread instead of two at any given meal.
2) choose egg whites over whole eggs.
3) Stick to only my morning coffee before my workout unless I'm really hungry and I will have a banana and PB so my body can focus on burning stored fat and not my breakfast during my workout.

MENU
food menu for next week
Pre-Workout Snack: PB + Banana and my morning cup of Joe
Post-Workout Snack: Protein Shake
Breakfast: Chia & Fruit Bowl Smoothie
Snack:  Granola + Yogurt + Kiwi + Cinnamon
Lunch: Flaxseed Donuts w/ Lemon Water
Dinner: Turkey Burger w/ Red Onion + Tomato Slice + Broccoli Sprouts + Honey Mustard (tsp) on Ezekiel Sesame Seed Burger Bun and Cantaloupe (cup)


NEW 4-WEEK ROUTINE
I've been doing a little research trying to find exercise cards, but I can't seem to find exactly what I'm looking for and debating on making my own to share as printable.  I want an easy way to create routines each month and change things up without having to use the internet.  I have a few ideas and one template I'm using as inspiration

ONE WEEK AND COUNTING
I can't believe that next weekend I'll be turning the big 3-0.  I've been really excited for this weekend , but the last few days my excitement has lowered mainly because I have a lot still to do before my trip to DC to celebrate and I'm just not ready yet.  I have nothing really major planned, but I am going dancing all weekend and hanging with some of my awesome dance friends.   It's going to be a great weekend, but I wish it were another month away so 1) my leg was closer to recovery and 2) I had a little more of a financial cushion.  It's not going to be an expensive weekend, but after forking out as much as I did for my car I know I'm pushing it for the weekend, but I just have to go, it's my 30th.  I never celebrated my 21st or 25th and I was never as excited for either of those birthday's as I am for this one.  I love the fact that I'm turning 30, it's a new leaf that's turning over in my life and I can't wait to see my new adventures.

MOM'S IN TOWN
Saturday my mom came into town and we headed up to my brothers new place to visit with him and his girlfriend.  The day didn't turn out anything like the plan, which caused a little strife on my end.    My mom drove almost two hours to see my brother and then I had to drive another half hour to see him.  The plan to my understanding was my brother and his girlfriend were going to meet us half way and have lunch with us.  With this plan I decided not to eat breakfast and only brought a protein shake for a quick post -workout snack so not to spoil my appetite.  We ended up driving to them and  only spent an hour with them since they already ate and his girlfriend was taking a nap before heading out to work, so it was another two hours  after my workout before we were able to finally eat and it was torture. 

CONQUERED THE DONUTS
Thursday was a victory day over two boxes of sweet and sugary donuts.  This meeting we have monthly brings donuts to share and this is the first time I have been able to resist them.  While everyone else was eating their donuts I was enjoying a bowl of pumpkin oat meal with raisins, strawberries and pecans.. This is a very proud moment for me.  I even said no to one of the guys who offered to split one with me.


Image source: http://blog.rosemontapthomes.com/around-town/469/