KITTYROXX's SparkPeople Blog

5 Updates+March Wrap Up+April Goals+A Secret!

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 17:25:42 EST

Hello *again* friends!

First of all, I must announce how proud I am that I am actually blogging TWICE in the month of March! I’m not sure what is wrong with me – my temperature seems normal – but it seems that waking up so darn early in the mornings (more on that later) actually blessed me with more hours in a day to do wonderful things like scour the internet for the perfect oatmeal pancake recipe, read up on all 100 recaps of Sunday’s Mad Men, and of course, write this blog post...

Balance, Baby!

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 19:36:22 EST

Hello Friends! I hope this blog finds you shiny, healthy and happy.

So much has happened since I last blogged like oh ten years ago, so where shall I start?

Well, how about this: why don’t I tell you what I will *not* be going over in my blog:

1) All the binging that occurred since I last blogged. Nor will I gloss over the pure embarrassment of being caught by DH pigging out in my kitchen close to midnight. More than once. More than twice. Possibly more than...

Half Marathon Race Report! (:

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 19:09:18 EST

331 PRE-RACE 331

My plan was to be so committed and stick to my training program No Matter What, so that I would finish my HM as fresh, perfect and graceful as Pippa Middleton (my hero!) on her triathlon. However, thanks to disastrous training coupled with sickness, I took the last few weeks to grieve and accept I may possibly instead resemble Courtney Love should she ever be crazy (sober?) enough to think of completing a HM.

After a strong beginning...

Gluing Back Shattered Pieces of Me + Goals (2012 & Jan)

Fri, 6 Jan 2012 00:07:27 EST

Hello friends, how are you doing?

Me? Meh. I'm currently chasing my runny nose as I slave over this keyboard with enough tissues to deplete Costco’s international inventory, all the while pitifully trying to convince myself that my plans for the January 15th Half Marathon will still happen after barely squeaking out 3 of the planned 12 miles today. How is a girl to pick up the devastated pieces of herself after a disastrous end to 2011 and beginning of 2012?

Here is m...

Best Thanksgiving Ever Recap =D

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 19:00:13 EST

Why HELLO! How are you? I am doing FANTASTIC!

I would just like to announce that this Thanksgiving was the very BEST I ever had! It is beautifully ironic, because this is the first Thanksgiving holiday that decided to tighten our budget by not going out of town as usual. Instead, we focused on ourselves, our health and our relationship. I understand that it all about how you make of it, but I really wonder how we can top the fun we’ve had during this holiday.

Starti...

Not Doing Well, But Still Working It

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 20:00:50 EST

I am not doing well. 46

I didn’t want to blog about it, but it’s become evident in my moods and commitment level that I really should just openly admit it in (desperate!) order to “keep the faith.” I initially didn’t speak about it because in true optimistic yet frantic fashion, I hoped that it would be over in just a few days, but after stepping into Week 2 of this … funk … if you will, it’s clear that I may be the one to wait for its exit. As a self-professed perfect...

Discoveries + Emotional Eating + Late October Recap + November Goals

Mon, 7 Nov 2011 19:35:28 EST

As much as I love the fall, I’m so happy October is over. It was such a stressful month and, when I look back, I see so much angst. However, with the angst comes much discovery about myself in this journey towards healthy living, which then actually directly feeds into my goals for November, therefore making all that discomfort it worth it after all. =)

-----OCTOBER RECAP -----

October was ALL about the unrecorded binging. Whether it was the Emotional Eating Beast com...

Splurging, Tiredness, Grumpiness and Getting Back on Track

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 19:57:28 EST

It’s been awhile since I last blogged, but really, I’ve been busy! (Like, for real!) I have been sleep deprived, hungry, and drained physically and emotionally. I have been a real P.I.T.A. in the grump department, but thank goodness it’s over now. (I think …)

Last Saturday I spent the day cooking for 19 people for my best friend’s engagement party on Sunday. I didn’t go to bed until 3 am on Sunday – I’m an “in bed by 10 pm” kind of gal, so this was REALLY late! By the time I ...

I did not work out today - eek!

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 20:41:36 EST

Before I start this blog, allow me to fill you on one little fact about myself: I am crazy.

Okay! Now that we got that out of the way, my blog today is to report that I did not work out today because … oh my goodness this is so hard to admit … I am overtrained.

Little tiny signs started cropping up when I inadvertently started running 5 days a week. I’m more of a 3-4 days a week kind of person, but I just got so darn impatient with my calorie goals that I found running...

Sept Wrap-Up, Oct Goals – Overdue Blog!

Tue, 4 Oct 2011 01:42:55 EST

OCTOBER 2011 GOALS

1) Continue running

2) STRETCH!!! Increase flexibility.

3) Cook once a week minimum

My goals for this month seem piddily, but with work picking up, workouts, eating, and being a mother to two sick-ish cats, I sense that I might get overwhelmed with too much. So 3 itty bitty goals it is.

334

-----SEPTEMBER RECAP-----

Goal #1: Continue running 3x a week (except for Labor Weekend - 2 x ...

Q. What does a Type A do when she gets sick?

Fri, 9 Sep 2011 17:57:48 EST

A. Add "Buy Dayquil" to the list!

Even though I am a goal-oriented person, I do not think I have always been Type A. Whereas I am easily motivated by goals, if a situation does not feed into any of my goals, I have been known to act far more careless than a responsible adult should. Example: Considering 5 minutes late to be ... ahem! ... early, finding the point of where and when a snooze button stops working, etc.

But thanks to SP, these are now just past memories!

Worries! :(

Sat, 3 Sep 2011 19:36:10 EST

I don't meant to be a downer, however, I admit that I am struggling at the moment.

It has to do with my cat - aka my "fur-son." Yes, yes, he's just a cat, but he is THE love of my life. I rescued him at 4 weeks old from a construction site, went through countless of nipples trying to bottle feed that little guy, and taught him cat things like jumping and such. So it would be natural (at least to me!) ...

GOALS: September 2011 - with pics!

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 18:52:35 EST

SEPTEMBER 2011 GOALS

1) Continue running 3x a week (except for Labor Weekend - 2 x that week)

2) Journal Daily

3) Spark Daily

4) Blog 1x/week

-----AUGUST RECAP-----

BLOGGING...

I'm not sure why I didn't really blog much in August. I think that when I sit down to type, I get this great big mental block that overcomes my fingers on the keyboard. And really, I think, do people really want to read about my workou...

3 Year Sparkiversary!

Sat, 20 Aug 2011 21:51:39 EST

Happy 3rd Sparkiversary to me!!!

What I've learned from SP:
1) Diets FAIL! Healthy living WINS! Weight loss stage is a time of practice for Maintenance Mode.
2) There is room for a cupcake in healthy living 224
3) Emotional and mindless eating can't be beat, but can be managed
4) Water is my bff

What progresses I have made:
1) Injuries and depression stopped me from running for awhile, but I keep getting back up. 244
...

July 2011 Goals

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 20:15:26 EST

1) Keep my mileage to 35-45 per week via walking and running.

2) REST on Sundays - when I get an inkling to workout, remember that my ankles, feet and Achilles tendons will happily unleash its wrath when provoked. They are a grumpy bunch and should not to be tested.

3) Have a nice 5 year anniversary celebration with my love. Which means, do not sweat the diet on anniversary dinner. After all, isn't chocolate an aphrodisiac?

4) Multivitamin and calcium suppl...

Me, 26.2?! - 23 Weeks to M-Day

Mon, 4 May 2009 19:01:29 EST

I am such a freak. Consider the evidence:

1. We had FRONT ROW tickets to the Dodger game last Thursday. I should have been excited but I was freaking out about having to skip my evening yoga class! Not only that, but I was 15 minutes late in picking up HB because I decided that I needed to sweat extra hard over the bike and elliptical to make up for it. It did turn out to be a very fun night, even thoug...

Me,26.2?! - 24 Weeks to M-Day

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 17:35:17 EST

Food Update: I officially raised my caloric intake this week. I feel SO MUCH BETTER!!!
Energy Update: Last week's tiredness is gone! Glad to know it was only because of a caloric deficit problem.
Optimism Update: This week I was really fretting about the marathon. Did lots of reading on toughening up mentally.

►Monday 4/20

104 7.1 mile run- 7 miles is my friend. We’v...

Shameless, I Say, Shameless!

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 18:38:10 EST

I only did 1.5 small workouts out of my semi-large load of workouts planned today. Why, you ask? Because I’m still tired!, I answer.

Lack of carbohydrates, overtraining, and dehydration, be damned. I’m tired today because while HB was off having a work dinner, I clicked my butt off last night in one of Will Wright’s many crack-like video games! I clicked and clicked and clicked my way through Spore from ...

Oh energy, why must you tease?

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 18:33:33 EST

I woke up this morning feeling like my eyelids were stapled to my forehead, kind of like this: 40

Finally, ENERGY!!!!!!!!

Unfortunately the surge of energy came and went; by the time I was done with my run, I was exhausted once again – I was practically crawling home during the cool down walk! I thought long and hard about skipping yoga until I remembered that I left a bunch of stuff...

My Dirty Little Secret, Carbs and New Goals

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 21:18:35 EST

Shhhh, confession time: I am TIRED. Actually I've been exhausted for a couple of weeks now. As I'm sure you can already guess, tiredness does NOT mix well when you have goals!!! 198

It may sound silly/ridiculous/nonsensical, but fatigue is one of a few select things about myself that I equivalate to defeat or weakness. (Isn't that just so sad?!?!) I am proud that I finally reached a point where I can accept taking time off to injuries, although I am quick to learn fro...

Gluttonous Easter, followed by 9 miler on the beach :P

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 18:00:48 EST

Happy Monday everyone!!! I hope you all had a fun, healthy and active Easter weekend.

448 452 448 452 448 452

I on the other hand, did not have a healthy and active Easter weekend, but it definitely was fun. 100

We started off the day on Saturday by sleeping in til 9-ish. I don't like getting up any later than 8...

Announcement, announcement, ANNOUNCEMENT!

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 14:31:35 EST

My DH, whom I lovingly refer to as HB, announced that he is READY TO START WORKING OUT.

...What!!!... 40

He admits that he's gained a lot of weight and wants to lose some, first by going on the bike in the mornings before work, and second by cutting out the hashed browns he gets with his breakfast every morning.

In truth, I noticed his weight gain, but just like love knows ...

Creepy fellow yogi!

Wed, 8 Apr 2009 20:00:55 EST

Something weird happened to me in yoga today.

After the class, one of the students in the class (a senior citizen) came over and started telling me about all the things I did wrong. I know she's experienced in yoga and I can appreciate extra pointers, but I didn't exactly know how to react when she said that in every class she sees me, she likes to watch everything I do. (That IS a little creepy, right???)

Next, she advised that I attend an instructional class on Sunda...

Tues Apr 7 - 234 minutes of delicious sweat!

Wed, 8 Apr 2009 00:11:46 EST

Today was a good day. :):):)

It started when I woke up at 4:30 in the darn morning. I don't think DH's been sleeping well, and because of that, I find myself waking anywhere between 2:30 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. every weekday. Like, totally and deeply unpleasant! (This affects my cats too, who grumble when we toss and turn on the bed LOL) This could explain why I walk into walls in the morning... Or feel like my face is about to plop into my bowl of oatmeal... Or that I consider it...

Are you a gym fluff?

Thu, 2 Apr 2009 21:56:24 EST

Adorned in my new hot pink workout shirt and black shorts, I marched straight back into my closet because the pair of socks I'd quickly grabbed turned to be blue and white, interrupting the color theme I had going on. I laughed as I picked up a pair of pink and white socks, I mean, what the heck was I thinking, caring about how I looked at the gym, where I was about to get grossly sweaty and smelly!!!!!

One of the bennies of exercising is that it's excellent time for thinking whil...

Anniversary Goodies!!! (stuff that makes my heart go bump-BUMP)

Wed, 1 Apr 2009 20:37:15 EST

In celebration of my fifth year of being a non-smoker, DH got me this LOVELY gym bag I've been wanting for awhile now!!!

Er, confession time: Actually, ***I*** bought the darn thing and told him about it later. Better me tell him about it than have him find out when he sees another charge on the credit card at a sporting goods store. Again. Um... hee? 100

While "assisting" DH in sh...

Continuing the Committment!

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:28:51 EST

Sooo I've been absent for awhile SP, but I'm happy to report that I NEVER stopped exercising!

Inspired by LILHLFPINT ( www.sparkpeople.com/mypage.asp?id=LI
LHLFPINT ), I made a 2009 resolution to accomplish 10,000 fitness minutes. Instead of logging it in to SP, I actually started using an Excel spreadsheet instead so I can make nerdy reports and plan my workouts. By the end of today, I will have 5488.54 minutes total for the year, with only 4511.46 left to go!!!...

Last Obstacles Over... I am BACK!

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 14:53:35 EST

Oh man oh man oh man.

I have this tendency to where I am social and in a celebratory mood when things go great; however, when things go bad, I run, hide and exhibit hermit-like behavior! I suppose it's my way of dealing with things... Licking my wounds feels soooo good sometimes.

After my $3000 dentist appointment described in the last blog (and that's after my insurance kicked in!!!!) on Feb. 4, one of my extractions became heinously infected. A trip back to the dent...

More Obstacles - Argh!

Fri, 6 Feb 2009 22:26:31 EST

Tuesday was a great day. For the first time in more than a week, I woke up clear-headed and ready to go - I was back, good riddance bug!

With great delight, on Tuesday and Wednesday I ran to the gym and worked out to my heart's content - about almost four hours worth on Tuesday and almost two hours on Wednesday almost! I had so much fun. I heart my gym.

My pleasure came to a screeching half on Wednesday afternoon.

Thanks to a mean little kernel I accidental...

Still alive - but barely!

Mon, 2 Feb 2009 13:44:48 EST

I know I've disappeared in the last couple of weeks, my mom was in town until yesterday and I have been ill for the last 8 days. This bug will not leave! I do find it a coincidence that I suddenly got sick when I started consuming trash after eating clean for awhile... Connection?

I am scheduling myself rest today (complete with chick movies and soup) so that hopefully tomorrow I will be recovered enough to run and drop by the gym tomorrow. I have my first 10k on Sunday and I a...

"If running was my boyfriend, I'd guess you'd say we've been fighting all week."

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 18:05:40 EST

With the start of half marathon training, new gym schedule and restarting strength training after taking a one month+ break all on the same week, I was destined on a one way road towards train wreck that may somewhat equate to that picture of red-lipsticked Britney sitting on the sidewalk crying.

In anticipation of a very hilly 10k (461' gain for a straight 2.75 miles) AND HM (703' minimum elevation gain - yikes!), on Monday I tried to run a new route filled with taunting hills. R...

Siiiiiiiigh

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 18:11:14 EST

I had a very discouraging run on Monday. In anticipation of the outrageous hill in both the upcoming 10k and Half Marathon, I planned this even more outrageous route for yesterday with hills that would make a rollercoaster jealous. Result? It kicked my booty so bad that I had to cut out half of the hills in order to finish the distance! It left me glazed and glassy eyed for the rest of the day, thus missing the yoga class I was so excited about, all because I ended up staring at the wall ...

Bob Greene's 5 Questions to Consider

Fri, 9 Jan 2009 20:47:23 EST

I don't watch all the Oprah shows (I skip all the ones where she interviews celebrities - snooooze!), but I love the content on her show. With all the complaints everywhere about how sick people are of celebrities with unrealistic lives, etc, here is Oprah, confessing that even with all the money in the world, even SHE failed at keeping the weight off! If fat were a person, he/she would be the MOST non-racist non-class-ist nonjudgmental in the entire world. Her candid confession - somethin...

No More Moping, No More Guilt!

Tue, 6 Jan 2009 20:53:23 EST

I am back from the cruise plus recovery. (Needing a vacation after the vacation... You know what I mean, right???)

Recovery as the surprise that struck me when I saw that I gained 5+ pounds from one week of gluttony... SIGH. That means I gained a little more than 25% of the weight I lost. SIGH SIGH.

Points from the cruise
- I ran 3 days around the ship, once during the gorgeous sun setting over the famously turquoise Caribbean waters - bliss! There was also an...

Peeking around the corner!

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:05:40 EST

A few days ago, someone found a light switch and turned on a lightbulb in my head. 3

I've accomplished a lot of cool stuff in my life, but there are a very few select items that I can stay I've been doing for an extended amount of time. I get really excited when I start projects, but once I reach a milestone or get good at a skill, I drop it like a hot coal and I'm on to something else completely different. I've always thought that it's just me being a commitment-phob...

It's MY turn now!

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 19:50:41 EST

On Christmas Day of 2007, a cruise ship dropped us off on the beautiful island of Grand Turk. As we enjoyed the warm waters and delicious sun, I couldn't help but ogle at this mom of a toddler with the most AMAZING body ever. She didn't look like a model, but her body was better than most "normal" women I see - it was the first 6-pack I'd ever seen on a woman! And did I mention she was a mom???

I was shy...

Me - SP Motivator??? Get out!!!

Tue, 9 Dec 2008 20:51:34 EST

It was last night when I got that email titled "You Are A Motivational Member." I paused, rubbed my eyes, looked again, and then considered getting some eye drops.

Holy catness!!!

I mean seriously, it is the Sparkers who motivate ME. It's perusing and reading pages for hours on end that makes me jot down notes for to help me be more successful. It's my fellow Sparkers on my favorite SparkTeams who help me realize that I am not alone in this journey. It's the friendsh...

New Gadget (!!!) and Reflections

Mon, 8 Dec 2008 12:31:47 EST

I got a new Garmin Forerunner 405!!!!! It is manly looking and pretty big on my wrist, but hopefully it will help me grow some you-know-whats in training to run longer, faster, harder and more efficient. I'm also excited that I will no longer be calculating my pace and distance by hand, saving time that can now be used towards more useful things like surfing the web, playing with my cats, taking out the trash, and - oh yeah! - the dreaded holiday shopping.

Of course this also mea...

Nov 2008 Update - Plateau is Still a WIN

Mon, 1 Dec 2008 21:44:00 EST

*Physically*

I really plateaued this month. I point my French-manicured finger towards the injuries incurred back in the beginning of the month that sidelined me from running, but to be fair, there were other factors too that kept me from doing as much cardio as before - like boredom!!! With the exception of running, I am bored to tears of Curves and am considering asking DH for a REAL gym membership next year (pretty lights! sparkly machines! yoga! beautiful bodies to motivate ...

I DID IT!!! (This lifestyle is definitely for real!)

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 14:43:14 EST

*The days before the race:*
* Other than a light 30 minute run on Friday, I did absolutely NO running and made sure any aerobic activity I did was low impact. I also upped my carbs slightly for maximum glycogen on race day. I know this was only a 5k, but over preparation is how I deal with my unknowns. :)

*Sat 11/23 PM:*
* High protein and good carbs for dinner
* Surprisingly even with pre-race jitters, I fall asleep easily.

***RACE DAY***

*5:...

Running Away

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:51:46 EST

In my last post, I described the exhaustion and symptoms of depression-without-feeling-depressed that has consumed me lately. It was just so strange to go from daily euphoria and tons of energy to lethargy, the desire to stay in bed and feeling like I could cry with a drop of a hat - without anything to cry about, added to the fact that I'm actually pretty happy overall!

Well, the answer (thankfully) came to me today.

After resting for over a week, I got my butt out of ...

Exhaustion

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:02:38 EST

There is something going on that I can't quite put a finger on.

Being that I prefer cardio over ST, I typically start ST with a bad attitude. (What a confession!) Thankfully, however, the attitude turns into a happier one as I get into it and then before I know it, I'm pushing hard because I *want* the burn. In the end, I feel really really good and I'm very happy that I worked out.

Today, however, I started with my bad attitude and it *stayed*. I was very excited to...

New Numbers - OMG!!!!!!!

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 19:43:23 EST

I am still in disbelief over my new numbers from Curves yesterday. This exercising/eating right thing really works!!!

Weight: 106.2 lbs (this was before breakfast, so I'm sure my normal weight is more)
Body Fat %: 17.40% (down from 18.00% on Sept. 29)
BMI: 20.7 (down from 21.7 on Sept. 29)

This, at least for me, is a huge loss for a month. I wonder if this has anything to do with the fact that I upped my running days from three to four?

P.S. I'd li...

October 2008 Update - YEAH!!!!!!

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 21:30:46 EST

***Physically***

I believe daily workouts have spun my metabolism almost out of control! It feels like I’m doing nothing but eating … all … the … time. And even when I do eat trash, it takes me no longer than two days to get my weight/body back to where it was before. This is new to me.

It’s also weird to say that I’m losing weight without being proactive about it. Maybe it’s the intensity of my workouts that make it so, but it just feels like my body is shedding fat jus...

Problems with being thin

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 21:25:17 EST

After working hard every day to lose weight, be healthier and look better, I am proud to say "I DID IT!" and that I am so very proud of myself.

But what of the other people?

I have problems making friends at my local Curves. I get snubbed a lot, but I brushed if off because I was going there to workout, not join a social scene. Recently, I changed my workout time to 6 am and thanks to running into my next door neighbor who works out at that exact same time, people actu...

October Update

Tue, 7 Oct 2008 13:47:21 EST

I never thought I could ever be the me I am today.

Three months ago, I would starve myself here and there to prevent that BMI meter from shifting into Overweight. At the same time, I would eat portions enough for at *least* two people and didn't care about providing important nutrients for my body. I did nothing but stay at home, playing computer games with zero exercise at all. Instead of doing something about it, I wallowed in the condition of my body and couldn't look at fit ...

Health vs Beauty, I was prescribed Red Wine!

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:43:00 EST

I'm not an avid beauty fan, but I do what I can with weekly facials and regular to trips to the spa to make the nails pretty. Five weeks ago, however, I noticed this annoying bruise on the 2nd toe on my right foot that both made me go "ow!" and spilled a lovely mixture of blue and purple beneath the nail, framed by the perfect white stripe from the French pedicure. Fortunately, the pain went away within a day or two, but the bruising stayed. And sure the color was pretty - on a shirt maybe...

I worked out for 60 straight days!

Mon, 8 Sep 2008 06:03:54 EST

I never thought I would be able to say this, but I worked out for 60 straight days! It feels amazing.

The unconventional things I discovered about daily workouts:

1. It’s not exactly earth friendly. More showers and a ton more laundry. Save water? Right. I’m expecting our water bill to go up because of my new “healthy” habit.
2. Good hair day? What good hair day?! If I was more vain/not lazy, I would wash, blow dry and then iron my hair every day, but I’m not...

You can cuss me out anyday!

Thu, 4 Sep 2008 15:18:56 EST

Yesterday a woman cussed me out probably the worst I've ever had it.

My mind was in another place as I drove towards an intersection and didn't see her and her two dogs.

Her temper flared mine, but after a red-hot 15 seconds later I realized: "Why on earth am *I* mad when it's my fault!"

I tried to apologize to her and make nice but that's when the real cussing began, including a gesture or two. Being screamed at in the middle of an intersection would normall...

No-Go to Yes-Go!

Tue, 2 Sep 2008 22:06:23 EST

If I could rate my motivation from 1 through 10 (with 10 being me scratching at the door like a dog who needs to go outside NOW), I would say today was......... a -5. That's right, NEGATIVE cinco.

But after much crying, whining and drama in my head, I put on my sunblock and gear and pushed myself out the door.

End result?

A PERSONAL RECORD BABY! I - yes me me me oh me - did 6 miles in 1 hour and 12 minutes. Personal best! Sure I was sweatier than those mod...