Our Boy is a Man Today

Sunday, May 05, 2013

Francis turns 18 today. A fact he's not too thrilled about, but I'm looking at today as the beginning of a huge adventure for my son. Francis is actually my stepson, but I've been in his life since he was 7 years old and since he lives with me and my husband I feel I've raised him and he is in fact my son. I think he knows how lucky he is to have 3 parents who love him to death. I think I can speak for all 3 of the 'rents when I say I cannot believe how fast the time has gone. I'm so proud of him. He's such a gentle, accepting and caring young man although at this juncture in his life I feel he's a little lost. He's graduating in a few weeks, but he didn't apply to any colleges and he has no plans for a job. After graduation he'll go on vacation with us and when he returns he'll go visit his mom and help her get ready for her move and her upcoming wedding. I'm concerned about his mom forcing a relationship with her fiancé on Francis. She's so eager for Francis to like the man (whom he's really never met) that she's bound to...well, I'm not sure what she's going to do, but I think Francis has a tough couple of months coming. When all the stuff with his mom comes to pass I hope he's ready to commit to college or to a job. I've already set the record straight that he'll need to do something because sleeping, eating and playing Xbox doesn't prepare you for life. You need to get out and live life no matter how scary or uncertain it is. I just want to help him without adding to the stress I'm sure he's already feeling, but like most men, won't talk about. Anyway, today is about celebrating the beginning of the adventures of life. I'm so excited for him. I hope he gets excited too!

THEN:




NOW:

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

ISHIIGIRL 5/15/2013 12:30PM

Awe, what a handsome boy. I hope he gets it figured out. It is scary growing up. I have one of my own getting ready to face this next year. We have a plan in place for her and she is good with it. CNA in the fall, early graduation, hopefully a nice job, and then college courses and on her way to pursuing a PA degree. Report Inappropriate Comment

9 Days in Hawaii and 5 Incredible Workouts

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Aloha!!! I just came back from a fabulous vacation on the North Shore of Oahu. Concerned that I would be missing too many workouts, I threw my resistance bands and jump rope in my suitcase. I'm not an "outdoor girl" but with the amazing views from our backyard and the occasional humpback whale breaching in the distance I found myself enjoying exercise al fresco.

View from back yard:



As well as learning to enjoy an outdoor workout I discovered that you don't have to use a machine or run miles and miles to get a great cardio workout. I was jumping rope and doing all sorts of different exercises because I didn't have access to a gym. I was breathing heavy and sweating up a storm!! I really enjoyed the variety and I think my body benefited from the break in routine an the introduction of new exercises. The following is an example of the types of workouts I was doing:



I'm back home now and I'll be heading to the gym tomorrow. I'll also be starting a new 12 week workout program I found on Bodybuilding.com by Kris Gethin. Kris's daily trainer is a 5 to 6 day workout split that includes 40 minutes of cardio 5 days a week. Cardio is split up, 20 minutes before and after the workout. I'm looking forward to the change but a little apprehensive because I'm not sure how the program is going to work with my schedule. I'll just have to do my best and see what happens.

Mahalo for reading my blog and have a great week!!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

ISHIIGIRL 5/15/2013 12:26PM

I have a similar workout pinned on my pinterest board. Am starting to think about my Hawaii vacation scheduled for next year. Can't wait, but I think I will be too busy hiking the Pali lookout, Diamond Head, Punchbowl, Waimea Falls, swimming and snorkeling to do any additional workout. When I was a kid I lived on Ohau for 5 years. Oh, and there is always running on the beach,lol!! I do really love working out outdoors. Glad you were able to get away! Report Inappropriate Comment

LOWFATFOODIE 4/23/2013 2:59PM

Aloha! I need more workouts like this for when I travel! Report Inappropriate Comment

NGCHILD 4/22/2013 9:39PM

Woo hoo and way to go on the workouts!! I gained 3 pounds I n our 12 day vacation and was happy it wasn't more!! Nic Report Inappropriate Comment

_JODI404 4/22/2013 11:05AM

Nice!!! Hawaii looks like paradise!! It surely would be hard to leave. on the circuit training that you did while on vacation! That is really awesome!! Hope you have a great week! Report Inappropriate Comment

MAJONES1225 4/21/2013 9:16PM

Wow, I think it is great that you did your workout on vacation. When I took my first trip to Disney. I did well over 18,000 steps a day. That was my workout. Report Inappropriate Comment

Pick Yourself Up and Start Over Again

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Bad meal choices lead to bad eating days that compound to bad eating weeks, months etc. We've all been there. All your hard work seems to go out the window when you fall back into bad habits. So far 2013 has been one hell of a hot mess for me. I've watched good habits not only fly out the window, but get flushed down the toilet! Stress in my personal life and at work has sent me into binge eating mode like I haven't seen in years. My days start out pretty good, but something will set me off and my resolve disappears. Maybe my follies this week thus far will make some of you feel better about yourself.

Dear Diary:

Monday, March 11th: Ezekiel Cinnamon Raisin English Muffin with Laughing Cow Cream Cheese to breakfast, Turkey sandwich/mustard and baby carrots for lunch. Great!! Stood in line at post office for 1 hour and 10 minutes. Bought 3 cupcakes on way back to the office for family. Ate all 3 cupcakes with milk at desk. Two slices of pizza and tortellini with sausage, 2 oreos, more milk and potato chips after I get home. Disaster!!!! I could kill myself. Resolve to be "good" on Tuesday.

Tuesday, March 12th: Good girl! Weight Control Oatmeal and Coffee for breakfast. Vitapizza with baby carrots for lunch. One cup of Alpha Bits Cereal, one 100 calorie chocolate bar, one 50 calorie vitacake for a snack. After work I go to the gym for some extra cardio. Go home to make dinner and eat two slices of leftover pizza while making dinner. Eat pulled pork, sugar snap peas, and four slices of corn break with butter for supper. Two oreos and milk for dessert. UGH!!! Not again!!!

So here it's Wednesday. Starting off eating well and trying to figure out why I binge like I do. It's like eating to oblivion just blocks reality out and for a few minutes nothing matters. On Monday when I ate all three (big) cupcakes I felt happy! It was fun to eat the cupcakes! I didn't feel sick either. In fact, if I bought more than three, I would have eaten more than three and I would have been fine. Do I feel guilty? I guess, but it doesn't matter to me. I'll beat myself up for about 5 minutes then forget about it. If I don't feel guilty about overeating how am I going to stop?

I know it's not good for me to put junk into my body. I tell myself I should be nourishing my body and my soul with healthy, nutritious foods. Then I'll reason that I'm not a model, I'm not an actress, I'm never going to look like that, I don't have to look like that, so if I want to eat junk I can eat junk because it just doesn't matter. Talk about self destructive behavior!!! It does matter! Your health always matters and we're worth it no matter who we are or what we do for a living. We deserve to be the best we can be. I don't know why after all these years I still talk myself down the way I do. Why don't I think I matter? Why don't I think I'm worth it?

I really thought I was over all this self destructive stuff. Just goes to show that none of us are safe from our demons. We can all fall into depression, we can all fall into bad habits. Recognize it, acknowledge it, pick yourself up and start over. Today is yet another chance to be fabulous! Don't let a few bad days derail the rest of your life and never give up striving to be the best you that you can be.

Keep fighting everyone!!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

HEALTHYJEANIE 3/23/2013 1:48PM

I know how you feel. I've had several feasting nights this week myself. I too, do so well unil after dinner. I have decided that this needs to be about being healthy. I have made improvements for my health. I stopped smoking, I eat more fruits and vegi's and exercise 5 to 6 days a week. It sounds like you are making allot of healthy choices too. We need to give ourselves credit for the right choices we make. Having said that I added a goal to the sparks people other goals tracker. The new goal is No nighttime snacking, unless it's 1cup of fruit. This week, so far, I've met that goal 2 times. Hopefully will meet it more next week. We have come a long way and we can reach our goals if we do not give up! Report Inappropriate Comment

CGG111 3/23/2013 7:21AM

All the good won't be undone in one or two days...no way:) Hope you have a great weekend! Report Inappropriate Comment

B-FLAT 3/16/2013 3:20PM

Sounds like you could have written my diary...only I wouldn't have eaten the healthy things too. I wish I knew why we try to destroy ourselves. but, I do know you are strong and you can and will turn this around. Keep trying, keep fighting! Report Inappropriate Comment

NGCHILD 3/13/2013 8:35PM

Oh Libbie I feel your pain! That is one of the reasons I am in the place I am. What's 5 more pounds when you have gained so much? Ugh. We just have to get our minds and rears in gear. I agree it's a phase and you will come thru. Just take one day at a time! Report Inappropriate Comment

LOWFATFOODIE 3/13/2013 4:04PM

yep. easily derailed for a day here, but keep picking myself back up. Keep it up. I know its just a phase for me- just as being Uber good is a phase sometimes. Just trying to elogate the uber good and reduce the uber bad. Report Inappropriate Comment

SCRAPPINPOLLY 3/13/2013 10:18AM

Love the quote at the end!! Great post today! Report Inappropriate Comment

A Kitty's Life Well Lived

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Angel Kitty - 3 months old



My Angel Kitty was diagnosed with cancer in January. I discovered a lump in her neck and when the vet examined her they found it was cancerous and the cancer had spread to her lungs as well. I decided not to pursue treatment so that the time she had left would be peaceful and happy. I worked from home as often as I could, making sure she was comfortable and I spent as much time with her as I could.

Angel Kitty 2013





This past Wednesday I had to say goodbye to my friend of 15 years. It broke my heart, but it was the right decision and she passed away in my arms. I was beyond privileged to have this courageous and graceful creature in my life. I still expect to see her sitting on the sofa and every now and then I still hear her meow. I think she had a happy life. I know I've been happier because of her. I'll miss my Angel Kitty, but as I look at her pictures I see all the evidence of a kitty's life well lived.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

_JODI404 3/10/2013 6:20PM

I am SO sorry for your loss!! She was a gorgeous cat, and I am certain you gave her an awesome life! The pure, unconditional love and joy that they bring to our lives makes the pain of their loss worth it all. May you find comfort in your fondest memories and your beautiful pictures. My heart really goes out to you. I anticipate losing one of ours soon, and it's never easy to say goodbye. It is a blessing to soak up their love and spoil them as best we can though, knowing that time is short. Report Inappropriate Comment

RUNNINGAL425 3/10/2013 11:04AM

HUGS! So sorry for your loss! Report Inappropriate Comment

DARJR50 3/10/2013 10:27AM

I'm sorry for your lose. She will live on forever in your heart. Report Inappropriate Comment

Saturday Morning Meltdown

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Two weeks of intense workouts, tracking and eating within my calorie range has resulted in a 1 lb weight gain. I growled at the stupid scale and thought maybe it's muscle. So I tried on my favorite skinny jeans that have been a little tight for last few months but I could button them. Well, I COULD (past tense) button them. I can no longer do that. I broke down and cried.

As a feeling of helplessness overwhelmed me, I tried to put my finger on what went wrong. I've done everything right and by my calculations I should be down 2 lbs not up 1 lb. I can't imagine that my calorie calculations have been that off and I can't imagine that my sweat sessions have been ineffective. Frankly this is bull!!! So now I'm angry and angry is better than crying my eyes out. When something fails, you've got to try something else. Also, if I've learned one thing during my lifelong weight battle, it's that weight loss requires a huge amount of patience. Plus I'm as stubborn as a mule. I refuse to give up and let this beat me.

I admit I still feel like curling up in a ball and crying myself to sleep. I'm very frustrated and I have the weekend ahead of me full of dietary booby traps at every turn. A few blogs ago I wrote about being tired of trying to be thin. I guess I really was tired and I just let myself go. I know how I got here and I know what I have to do to get back to where I feel good in my skin.

Have a good weekend all!!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

GLITTERFAIRY77 1/27/2013 10:34AM

Maybe just a bit too much sodium one day caused you to put on some water weight! Do NOT beat yourself up so much! Grab the tape measurer and give the scale the finger. Report Inappropriate Comment

RITZYOGAGAL 1/12/2013 3:20PM

I'm sorry you're struggling, I've been there. Remember it isn't as easy as the numbers and the extra pound plus may just disappear in a few days. Sodium, hormones, bloating etc are always a struggle. I also know that as I've gotten older it just takes longer for the results of good habits to show on the scale especially if I've been going through a "bad" period. Just hang in there and believe in what you're doing. Its not just about the weight but about every aspect of good health. BIG HUGS!! Report Inappropriate Comment

NGCHILD 1/12/2013 11:38AM

I'm sorry Libbie -- I can relate. Do you weigh everyday?? Try only weighing once a week. I would keep at it -- you are doing all the right things. Don't get discouraged. You can come too far to turn back! Report Inappropriate Comment

ISHIIGIRL 1/12/2013 11:22AM

Oh Libby!! I so understand exactly how you feel! Hang in there and remember, the scale is just crap! Maybe its water weight or inflammation from all of the WO you have been doing. Give it a couple of days and weigh in again. You can do it! HUGs! Report Inappropriate Comment