Hello all. It's Saturday and I hope all is well with you all.
So, this a.m. I am looking out my window - very sneeky-like. My DH comes in the study and asks me "What in God's name are you doing?" to which I reply I am going to find out who is bringing their dog to my yard to take a big-fat doody. Yes. HUGE. I am not even being ridiculous. It is sooo big it looks fake.
To my pleasant surprise - my culprit comes over with their dog (saint bernard) on the leash and lets them take there big fat dookey right in my damn yard.
"AH-HA!" I said in delight. My DH now has a look of sheer horror on his face.
I open the door and go outside with a Target bag and hand it to them. "You can use this to take that with you. If you feel truly blessed, you can pick up all the other dog crap you leave here every morning."
Uh, no. He didn't feel blessed nor have the common courtesy to pick up the fresh pile.
Lucky for me, as my DH says, I have the tact of a brick wall.
Yes, folks, I got the shovel and went to this big pile of dog feces and hit it like a golf ball. It was airborne!! I think it was definitely par. (LOL)
And wouldn't you know, it landed right on his car!!! laughing my booty off the whole time...
Did I forget to mention it was MY NEIGHBOR!! Who brings their dog outside to their neghbor's yard to take a poop? Moron. Imbecile. Idiot.
He turns around and begins to scream obscenities. Uh, I don't care. He is going to call HOA blah, blah, blah.
Uh, "prove it." is all I reply. "Your dog poop, your car. For all I know your dog jumped up there and pumped that turd out. I sure as heck wouldn't pick up your dog crap out of YOUR yard and pitch on to YOUR car. Now, maybe if you admit to bringing your dog to my yard to leave his happy droppings...."
"no, that won't be necessary" is all he says.
I don't know who is the bigger turd....HIM or the one his dog leaves.
Good morning all me fellow bloggers! I am sitting here having a cup of coffee and getting ready for my morning workout and then off to the gym for weights.
So we have all heard about Rosie leaving The View. I have to truly admit - I am on the bandwagon here. I NEVER watched The View until Rosie came. (I usually only watch on Mon/Tue) The controversy and her outspoken nature has made for great conversation pieces. Everyone loves a conspiracy theory. Is it not weird how a talk-show host makes all of the major headlines? CNN, etc. Nuts I tell you!!
One of my new favorite finds is Muesli. Bob's Red Mill Muesli. (Just Google) I don't know how to put in link's without typing the enitre web site address. (I think I may have just taught myself how to do it!!) Anyways, this stuff is high in whole grains, low in sugar, and great on protein. I put some in my lunch every now and then. Just measure it out and then when I am ready to eat it, add water and put it in the microwave at work. YUMM-O!! It's great for filling and QUICK!! If you like oatmeal, you will like it.
I find it at Super Target and Wal-Mart or Whole Foods. It usually runs about $3.50-4.00 for a bag.
I hope everyone has a great on-plan day and that you continue to make GREAT choices!!
Hello again. Today was pretty stressful with all kinds of salon drama. You get this many women cooped up together, I suppose it is bound to happen. If there are no clients to keep folks busy, the tongues get to wagging out of boredom. Go figure. But, my sanity does has its limits. So, the best rule of thumb for myself: don't be sane when at work. Be INsane and I will fit in well.
So to develop some awesome glutes and thighs, here's an option:
Front and back squats are two of the best exercises for developing the glutes and thighs. Most people do not do these exercises because they are uncomfortable, (I am no exception to this), and they have trouble maintaining proper body alignment. Also, they do them improperly. SO, the dumbell step-up is a good alternative because the movement places minimal stress on the shoulders and spine and makes it easier to maintain a good body position.
The technique:
Choose a sturdy box or bench approximately knee high. Stand slightly behind the box, holding a dumbell in each hand. Place your right foot on the box. Step up on the box by driving upward with your right leg, through the heel. The right leg is holding the weight and therefore using that muscle. During the step-up, maintain an erect posture, with back straight, shoulders back and head in a neautral position. When stepping down, pretend there is a piece of China you do not want to break behind you that you are stepping down on to. Step down with left leg. Repeat. Do 12-15 reps on each leg.
This is a great alternative to squats if you just want to do something different or if your form tends to get a little sloppy on squats. (mine does!!) Try a few and let me know what you think.
Well, have a great evening all. I ate well (clean) and worked out hard today. I feel pretty good and am thinking of another workout.
Good morning all. Just finished my workout. I love working out first thing in the morning. I usually do cardio in a.m. and then stop at the gym after work to do weights.
This morning was TJ - Cardio Party remix and AbJam. Holy cow, that was a great workout. I wore my heart rate monitor, also. I definitely suggest a heart rate monitor for people. It can measure the calories you use during workouts. It actually helps increase my intensity so that I can "up it" if I need.
Have any of you guys heard of, or tried, the Michael Thurmond 6 week Body Makeover? I seen an infomercial for it this morning and was just curious. I prefer just good ole workouts and eating better. If you have it - let me know your thoughts on it.
Got my lunch packed and ready to go so I need to go shower.
Well, today is going to be some serious rambling. I warn you. Read no further if you don't want any part of this.
You ever wonder if Customer service people just want and need to harass you? What is up with this? I am completely over it. Honestly. I am a grown-ass woman and have no desire to be a part of this poop. If you can't solve the problem, don't be a part of the problem. It just makes you look simple.
Must be something in the water. I think its contagious. 3 different people and there is something wrong with them. I blame the company they work for. THEY ARE NOT EQUIPPED/TRAINED TO HANDLE THE PROBLEM AND YET THEY ARE PUT ON THE FRONT LINE AS IF THEY ARE A MARTYR. At first I feel sorry for them and then it escalates to being perturbed. "WHY?" you ask.....because it has been going on since June 2 of 2006.
Yes, folks. That is correct. For almost 11 months I have been triple billed per month. How does this happen? Especially since I have come to you since June of 2006, every single month, to get this problem resolved. AND I still have not received credit for any of this!!! It would be different if I eventually received credit but, no, you just keep taking and taking and now I have to get LOUD!!!! $150 per month, every month for almost 11 months. That means you owe me $100 per month for 11 months (billed in advance). And, now, I feel I should be tacking on interest.
I am the positive one. Feng-shui and all that shit. (LMAO there) Never loud. Never angry. Laid back kind of gal.
I guess a grown-ass woman can only take so much.
That is all. I am done now.
I will be back later to write something positive. tee-hee-hee
Today's weigh-in shows another pound gone. I am officially out of the 220's!! woo-hoo!!
Last weeks goals were all met. Cardio 5x per week and weights 4x per week. The only time I did not eat PERFECTLY clean was yesterday, I ate at Jason's Deli and they did not have any whole wheat bread so I had to eat white french bread. So, the week wasn't entirely blown to poop.
Metabolism and weight training:
Incorporate at least three, 30 minute strength training workouts per week. Do 3 sets of 10-15 reps for each exercise.
Don't select overly heavy weights, especially when you're just beginning. The general rule of thumb is if you can easily do the last few reps in a set, the weight is too light.
Muscles are the only place where the body burns fuel, namely fat and carbohydrates.
Metabolic rate drops 10 calories a day per year starting at age 35. The amount of muscle in a woman (or man) also begins dropping at that age.
Each pound of muscle burns approximately 50 calories a day.
Each pound of fat burn approximately 2 calories a day.
Fat takes up at least 3 times the volume of muscle.
That explains why a woman with little muscle who weighs 120 pounds (a skinny number in most people's minds) looks worse than a muscular woman weighing 140 pounds.
So today's workout for me is some serious house cleaning (shampooing my carpets today!!), Turbo Jam 20 minute, TJ Booty Sculpt plus abs, weights (at gym while out running errands).
Here's a little trivia for you guys who think walking is not as beneficial as running:
Running at 5.3 mph for 1 hour burns approx. 570 calories
Walking fast at 5.3 mph for 1 hour burns approx. 650 calories.
Ok, there are ways to get our metabolism jump-started.
Here is a compiled list of
10 Best Metabolism-hyping tips:
Water - hydrate yourself with water to encourage optimal bodily functions and speed up the metabolism.
Eat a palm-sized serving of protein along with complex carbohydrates every 2-3 hours. That means 6 meals a day, not 3 squares!!
Burn fat efficiently by adding essential fatty acids like flaxseed and unsaturated oils to the diet.
Fiber fills you up, sustaining you longer than foods without it. Certain foods like flaxseed, wheat germ and bran stimulate lazy bowels.
Vitamins and minerals complement a clean diet, protecting against deficiencies and boosting the immune system.
Don't go past the point of hunger. Skipping a meal triggers a starvation response in the metabolism, making it slow down. Eating clean foods frequently sustains a highly charged metabolic rate. (every 2-3 hours keeps metabolism revved up!)
Each meal should include a 4 or 5 ounce portion of lean protein from chicken, turkey, egg whites, pork tenderloin or white fish sources.
Sugar is the white poison, sending the metabolism into a slow tailspin. All simple sugars-refined sugars-must be avoided to keep the metabolism burning quickly.
Complex carbohydrates from fruits and veggies satisfy the needs of an active body. Each meal should include generous servings.
Certain foods have a high glycemic index. This means they induce a similar negative effect on metabolism to eating sugar. Rice cakes, carrots, potatoes and fruit juices have a high-glycemic index and should be consumed in moderation.
This information is taken from "The Eat-Clean Diet" by Tosca Reno. website www.eatcleandiet.com
Feel free to print this out and put it on your refrigerator. This really helping me over the last couple of weeks. A huge eye-opener.
Will write more tomorrow. Tomorrow's topic will be metabolism and strength training.
I am pooped. Just exhausted today. And tomorrow is not looking any better. I am booked solid from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. and it is more up-do's. That's okay. Time is money and I know I am not cheap when it comes to them. Started at 7:15 a.m. today and finished at 7:45 p.m. Woo-hoo!
Today's non-scale victory:
I took my gym clothes with me and decided I was just too tired to work out. I am driving home and the gym exit was there and I took the exit. I decided I took the time to pack the gym clothes, I am going to work out. Yeah!! And yes, I do feel better. So now I am sitting here eating some pineapple while my dinner is cooking.
Have worked out with cardio and weights on all scheduled days and ate well. Clean!! No cheating and no sugar!! Woo-hoo! (again)
I do have to say, it is tough to eat healthy and clean when you don't have time to eat. I am lucky if I get to eat in 5-10 min. intervals while one client is processing and that's only if I am not doing a haircut while that one is processing. I take my little insulated cooler and pack yogurt, fruit, sliced turkey breast, tuna (all drained and ready to eat in a container), melba toast, smoothies, (1 point kind). Different things but all healthy. And, of course, bottles of water. Have to have water if I eat much fiber. If I don't, I will sound like a motor boat. Sorry, little TMI.
Well, everyone, take care and I wish you all a good evening and successful weekend.
Did cardio at-home, approximately 50 mins of Turbo Jam and burned approx. 610 calories. Went to gym this p.m. and did weights on upper body/arms. Hopefully they will not be too sore tomorrow, I worked them out pretty hard.
Last weeks accomplishments:
Ate well and clean every single day!
Cardio 5x
Weights 4x
All-in-all, I am completely happy with those accomplishments. The great news is, even though I cut sugar, I never got any headaches from those missed soda's I drink every single day. By eating the complex carbohydrates protein at every meal, it did eliminate that. Fruits are also complex carbs and have their own natural sugar in them so that eliminated the need (or my desire) for sugar to be added later through the day.
Since I began eating clean, I have been getting all of my fruits/veggies in.
Here is a yummy and simple recipe for those of you who may struggle getting them in. It's my own little thing and I am sure we all have one like it, but it is pretty darn good...
I make a little more so that I have some to take in my lunch for a couple of days. You can modify your recipe to make the amounts smaller!!!!
Veggies over couscous:
3 cups cooked couscous (use whole grain)
1/2 cup wine vinegar (rice vinegar works also)
2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO - for Rachel lovers)
2 tbsp lemon juice
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 tsp pepper
2 cups water
1 cup red bell pepper
1 cup yellow squash
1 cup broccoli, chopped (can use frozen and cook it)
1 cup thin green beans, ends removed (for more protein I will add 1/2 cup of edamame instead of the green beans)
Prepare the couscous according to the package directions. Stir in 1 tbsp of EVOO. In a medium saucepan, heat the wine vinegar, lemon juice, 1 tbsp of EVOO, garlic, pepper, and water. Add veggies. Reduce heat. Simmer until veggies are crisp and tender. Serve over 1/2 cup of couscous per serving. Makes 6 servings. Approximately 166 calories per serving.
So what was everyone's accomplishments and victories last week? Tell them here!! We all love to hear good news!!
Literally. Went fishing today. It was actually a nice surprise. My husband is a high school teacher/coach and he took the day off and we took the boat out and went fishing. I never really liked fishing until a couple of years ago, right after we got married, he took me and we caught soooo many fish. Now, I enjoy it. (Exception is this great sunburn I am sporting right now. I am basically the color of a plum)
EXCEPT
for today. We didn't catch a stinking thing. I decided I only like to fish when there are actually fish being caught.
ALSO
I only like to diet when I am losing weight. (That's right folks, another metaphor is in the making as I type and it wasn't even planned)
Isn't that how we are, though? As long as we are losing weight, we totally do NOT mind the dieting at all. Now, show me a week where I gained a smidgen (sp) and I guarantee you the next week following that, I slipped up somewhere and ate myself out of house and home.
As I type that, that brings me to this: I will not falter. I will not quit. (except eating so much). I will keep working out. How do I know? Because I bought myself a gym membership and I am not going to pay for that stinking thing and not use it. cha-ching!!!
I did a new Billy Blanks DVD this evening. I do blockbuster on-line and rented the Celebrity Fit Cardio. I wanted to view it before I bought it. Excellent workout!! Now I am searching eBay to buy it! Definitely got the heart rate up there!
I hope everyone is well and take care. I will type again tomorrow. (let's keep Virginia Tech in our thoughts)
taebo.diva
Is it not weird how a talk-show host makes all of the major headlines? CNN, etc. Nuts I tell you!!
But, my sanity does has its limits. So, the best rule of thumb for myself: don't be sane when at work. Be INsane and I will fit in well.
