Renewal

I Know, I know

Saturday, December 8, 2007 23:02:16

Chantal, thanks for checking in on me! It means so much, you have no idea!

I know. I haven't posted in ages. Between work being crazy busy (imagine new students dropping from the sky at an alarming rate), our home still being fixed after the incident 3 weeks ago (2nd floor toilet overflowed all day long ruining our living room ceiling, bedroom and living room carpet, and leaking water all the way down into the basement), and a new round of blood work getting under way (testing me for PCOS), I just haven't had the opportunity, or the brain power to put anything even remotely interesting together. Sorry!!

I'm still not back on the wagon from summer. See above reasons! I've gained some weight back, and know I need to get back on the wagon. Am I making excuses? You bet I am. Am I making my lack of healthy eating and exercise seem logical in my head? I'm the queen of doing that. I'm honestly hoping that once new students stop coming out of the woodwork, and my house is put back together (hopefully by next Friday), I'll get up the gumption to go at this weight thing again. I know that I have to. I owe it to myself, to my DH, to my family. There is a definite correlation for me between being an active member here and doing well in my weight loss journey. I know that. I accept that. I understand that. Now I just need to take action and do something about it.

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Yep, I'm Alive!

Thursday, December 6, 2007 22:03:12

Hi!! I'm still around, I promise! Thank you to those of you sending messages checking up on me. All is well in the land of Gellis! I gave some thought to my absence from here this summer as I took my walk around the neighborhood this morning. Here's what I have come up with:

I'm on summer vacation. It is my "tradition" to do pretty much whatever I want on my summer vacation. So I spend a great deal of time gardening (when it's not sweltering or storming), reading, watching crappy TV, catching up on movies, and sometimes even just doing nothing. It's something my husband has always encouraged me to do during the summer. His philosophy about the whole thing is it's my time to just "be". When we were first married I always felt like I had to do something productive every day, and report back to him what I had done. My mom is one of those stay at home moms that was always doing SOMETHING and always had so much still to do, so I thought that was the way I should be. DH broke me of that quite early on.

Some might say that I spend my summers being lazy. If that's what they wish to call it, then that's fine with me. If a person considers reorganizing and cleaning out closets, refinishing hardwood floors, edging gardens laziness, that's there issue, not mine, right? But I don't spend every day doing those major projects.

I have adopted this philosophy towards my "diet" for the summer as well. I was so rigid with myself for the first half of the year, and I just need some time away from the rigidity. So I take walks around the neighborhood instead of using a machine and strictly watching how many strides I'm taking per minute and how high my heartrate is getting.

Summer is a time to slow down, enjoy life, spend time outside, with family and friends, travel, etc. So, that's what I'm doing. Because of the lifestyle I live in the summer, I rarely have anything interesting or exciting to report on or blog about, thus my sparse attendance here.

Unbelievably, I'm due back to work on Aug. 7, so my days are numbered, and that number is getting very small. I will continue to enjoy the few days I have left. But once I'm back in the office, cooped up all day, I'll have the need for the gym and the structure once again. And once again I'll be back here, checking up on all of you daily, and sharing my trials, tribulations, and triumphs.

*hugs to you all* Enjoy your summer! Take time to revel in the beauty that the earth offers to us during this time of year.

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What A Celebration!

Thursday, December 6, 2007 23:05:15

I honestly have to say that this past weekend was the BEST birthday celebration I have ever had!! It started on Friday, when I left around 1:30 to drop off the dog at my parents' house, stayed and visited for a bit, and then went up to pick up Devlyn. We got back to our house and hung out until Sarah (Grace) got off work and we were able to head up to Wisconsin. We left around 7 PM Friday night. The car ride involved a lot of talking and a lot of laughing. We finally arrived at our hotel around 1:30 AM or so.

Saturday morning we were up by 7 AM to get ready to head to the faire. DH headed out to O&H Bakery early to provide us with yummies for breakfast. It's been ages since I've had doughnuts, and O&H doughnuts are well worth it! We made it to faire by 9:30 AM or so, well before the gates opened. We got to hang around with many wenches and Devlyn, Sarah and I were each rouged at some point throughout the weekend. (The Rogues line up to present you with a rose and say flirtatious things to you). On Saturday we also saw Dustin Diamond (Screech from Saved By The Bell) walking around the faire grounds. On Saturday we participated in a Wench Walk (similar to a rogueing but we leave lip prints on the victims). We shopped, saw a couple of shows, and just socialized with a lot of people in general.

We were blessed with beautiful weather all weekend long. On Sunday we stayed at the faire until closing (7PM Wisconsin time) and then, after changing in the parking lot, started the long drive home. We didn't make it back to our house until about 3 AM.

I'm still recovering from all of the fun! I've put a couple of pictures in my photo album.

If you'd like to see more and you have a few minutes, feel free to peruse my pictures from here.

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Thank you all!!

Thursday, December 6, 2007 23:04:15

Thanks SO much for all of the birthday wishes! I truly am lucky to have such wonderful people that care for me.

I'm currently recovering from quite an amazing birthday weekend at a fabulous Renaissance Festival. I promise to post all about it (hopefully with a picture or two) as soon as I get some sleep!

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This May Not Work

Friday, December 7, 2007 00:09:09

I just finished Day Two of Week One of C25K. I'm not sure this program is going to work with me. Now, before you start thinking I'm quitting before I've even begun, let me explain. I'm not quitting. I'm merely saying there's a possibility this isn't going to work

Monday, after Day One, I was in extreme pain. Not my leg muscles, as one would think, but my back. It really aggravated my sciatica. I took a hot shower, laid on the heating pad many times, etc. Had to take Tylenol PM to sleep. Yesterday I did my typical walk around the neighborhood to stretch things out, and that felt really good.

I went out this morning before the supposed rain starts to get in Day Two. My back was killing me after the second minute of running. I went ahead and finished, albeit not at the pace I would have liked, and I didn't walk as far afterwards as I normally would, because I didn't want to aggravate anything any worse. I've been through the losing weight, then hurting my back so I couldn't exercise anymore, and gaining weight back routine. I don't want to do it again.

I would love to be able to run a 5K, but my body may just not be cut out to do that. And I have to listen to my body. I also need to get back into a gym routine, because the walking just isn't making the weight move. Of course, that could also be blamed on the fact that I've been on the See Food Diet lately. What in the world has gotten into me?!?!?! FOOD! Lots of it, and it's not good for me food either!! ARGH!!!

I'm off to take a hot shower to minimize the damage to my back. Make it a good day everyone!

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What Did I Just Do?

Friday, December 7, 2007 00:07:10

I'll tell you! I just did Week One Day One of C25K!!! I did it as part 2.68 mile walk around the neighborhood. Silly me, I expected to actually get done with the whole 2.68 miles faster because of the jogging. HA! I was a fool. Because my walking after the C25K portion was over wasn't nearly as "brisk" as it normally is when I only walk. But I'm pretty pleased with how I did. I'm sitting on my back massager cushion as I type this, to try to keep my sciatica under control, since jogging puts extra pressure on my back.

I'll let you all know tomorrow how I feel!

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Party!!!

Friday, December 7, 2007 00:07:08

Our 4th of July party went off without a hitch. I'm know that almost everyone had fun. (You know, every party has one of "those" people) I didn't count how many people were actually there, but I know it was around 20. The day started off rainy in the morning, but by the time people started arriving it was just cloudy. It was even cool, so it was comfortable to be outside. Lots of good food and lots of good drinks, and lots of fun fireworks!!

After the majority of people left we had an "after party" and had a fire in the firepit. We sat outside and talked until after 1 AM. There's just nothing better than good friends. Two of those good friends stayed the night. We all sat around and tried to recover Saturday morning, and then D and S and I climbed into my car to take D back home. D is the proprietess of the shop where S and I buy a lot of our Renaissance Festival garb. So we conducted some business at the shop (D is going to cut down my too large bodices so that I can still wear them, S picked up two new bodices for herself and one for her mom, and D is going to make me a fabulous, tricked out new bodice). We were there until after 5 PM. Then S and I came back home (where DH had cleaned up the mess from the party!) and we ordered pizza and watched Season 3 of Weeds on DVD. S kept saying, "I need to go home by..." She ended up spending yet another night and we finished up the whole season and get through all 3 episodes of season 4 on Sunday morning! So much fun!!!

Needless to say, there was a ton of food left from the party, so we ALL over indulged all weekend long. We have now gotten rid of pretty much all of the bad for us food. I'm getting ready to get my hiney out to do my walk before it gets too hot today.

I hope you all had great weekends too!!

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What A Week!

Friday, December 7, 2007 00:03:09

It's been a week full of getting the house/yard ready for the party tomorrow. Let's see if I can remember everything I've done so far:

Monday - Walked my 2.7 miles in 50 minutes around the neighborhood. Cleaned the entire upstairs of the house, including the bathrooms (that's usually DH's job).

Tuesday - Walked my 2.7 miles - included some periods of jogging as well. Emptied, vacuumed, cleaned, and refinished the hardwood floor in our kitchen, hallway, 1/2 bath.

Wednesday - Skipped my walk and mowed the yard - took 2 hours. Can I just say that I hate our lawnmower. Let this be a lesson, even if you only use a certain piece of equipment very little, do NOT let the DH buy a piece of equipment without supervision! Our lawnmower SUCKS! You can't adjust the height of the handle, so the damn thing comes to just about my boobs. TOO HIGH! And it says it's "self-propelled", but that's a LIE! When presented with a small slope, the thing becomes strictly a push mower, with the self-propulsion rendered useless!

Today - It's raining, so I probably won't get to walk today. On the agenda is to finish cleaning the 1st floor of the house. Not too huge of a job given that the kitchen is pretty much finished.

Add to all of this fielding emails and phone calls of "What should we bring" and "what time should we get there", as well as making sure we have all of the necessary supplies. And then add to it that the weather man is now calling for rain tomorrow. What in the world am I going to do with 20 people in my house all day!?!?!?!? Yikes!!

Ok....so, I've finally found my "body role model". It came to me the other day while I was cleaning and had the TV on. Have I chosen some svelte supermodel? Nope. Some stick skinny TV or movie star? Some Paris Hilton type of celebrity? Definitely not. So....who did I choose?

Serena Williams.
Why did I choose Serena Williams? Well, she's not stick skinny, first of all. She has bewbs, she has hips, she has CURVES! But damn does she have some serious muscles. She fits my definition of a strong woman. Will my muscles ever be a well defined as hers? Probably not, because I'm not a professional athlete with full days to devote to training. But it gives me some one to look up to, and something to aspire to.

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I know, I know

Wednesday, December 5, 2007 22:09:11

It's been forever since I last posted. Sorry about that. And I'm totally behind on reading everyone's blogs too. I'll try really hard to get caught up this week.

I've been really good about getting my walking around the neighborhood done. Haven't been to the gym for a while, but I've been doing my walking religiously. I've tried several routes through my neighborhood, as well as using the sidewalk that goes around OUTSIDE my neighborhood on two sides. I've been able to get my walking route up to 2.68 miles. And I can walk it in about 45-50 minutes. That's no small feat considering how hot and humid it's been lately. I've been able to motivate myself into doing it by convincing myself that it's "training" for the renaissance festivals I'll be attending soon!! There's always a lot of walking and being on my feet, and quite a few hills to endure, and it's usually hot and humid. The only thing I haven't managed to incorporate into my "training" is the wearing of the two skirts, chemise, bodice, and faire shoes!!

I've been planting more flowers over the past week, as well as feeding the birds. I've managed to lure hummingbirds to my garden in just the past few days! I LOVE hummingbirds!! I think they are amazing and beautiful creatures. I have more flowers to plant, and then I think I'll be ok with calling the gardens ready for the Fourth of July party. (And yes kimquilts, you are definitely invited!) I hope to get those in the gardens today in between the scattered thunderstorms.

On Friday evening DH and S and I went to Molly Malone's to see Bob Ford and the Ragamuffins perform. If you've never seen them perform, at OHRF or elsewhere, you're really missing a great show and great talent. We had a great time! It was great to see friendly faces from faire, and The Lost Viking Horde. And it was really wonderful to spend time with Jan and Elizabeth (the Ragamuffins) just talking and laughing and having a great time before the show, between sets, and after the show as well. (Not to mention during the sets when we cracked them up and they broke down and laughed or talked to us DURING the songs!)

So, here's the thing that's been bothering me ever since then. I was told by someone that attended the show that I'm "much prettier in person" than I am "in my avatars". WTF does that mean, exactly? Is it me, or was that some sort of backhanded compliment, or what?!?

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I'm Struggling

Wednesday, December 5, 2007 22:03:17

I'm having a hard time with this whole, "no structure", issue of summer break, when it comes to the diet and exercise thing. I was so sure that once summer break was here I'd kick it up a notch and just hit it out of the park, ya know?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not sitting around watching soap operas and eating bon bons. I'm eating "good for me" food, and I'm very active, what with working in the gardens and the yard. But my attendance at the gym has been less than stellar. I took Friday, Saturday, and Sunday off. Today I decided to once again take advantage of the beautiful weather, so I went for a walk. According to Map My Run I walked about 2.4 miles in about 45 minutes. But none of this is helping me in my quest to lose more weight.

And so I struggle on and try to remember:

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