SHAKINGTHETREE's SparkPeople Blog

Week 2, in the books. :)

Wed, 6 Feb 2013 11:53:28 EST

Just finished my second week of what I'm now calling "P90X Part Two: Electric Boogaloo."

Things are good. Things are VERY good. I have lost SEVEN POUNDS. Seven!! What the eff?

Of course, maybe part of that was stupid TOM-related weight gain when I weighed myself two weeks ago... but honestly, it's not so much about the numbers as it is how I FEEL. I'm really starting to notice a difference in my energy level, my mood, and just how I feel physically. Sure, I have so...

Mee-oh, my-oh - PLYO

Fri, 1 Feb 2013 12:02:59 EST

Ohhhh, plyo kicks my keester...

But such a good workout. SUCH a good workout. It is no exaggeration when I tell you that I wring about 1/4 cup of sweat outta my do-rag when I'm done getting mercilessly whipped into shape by Tony via Plyo X. Dude's not kidding when he says it's the "mother of all the X workouts." Holy moly.

And the thing about a really hard workout is that it truly works like a relaxant for me; I can actually feel my blood pressure lowering, and my mo...

Starting Week 2 - strong!

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 12:13:35 EST

First of all - can I just say that salsa night last night was AWESOME? Music is the greatest blessing of my life; I'm a classically, professionally-trained musician, and I have never taken that for granted once in my life. When I dance, I see it as an extension of my musicianship - it's just another way I get to engage with the music and immerse myself in it. I love dance almost as much as I love the creation of music.

Anyway - I did salsa, bachata and merengue last night, and I...

Week 1 - in the books. :)

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 18:05:40 EST

Well, Week 1 of P90X is in the books. Gee whiz, it's great to be back. :)

*~*~*~*~*

I think I have learned something important about myself over these past few months. When I am unhappy and upset about things in my personal life, I lose motivation. Not only do I lose motivation, but I start to engage in some self-destructive behaviors... which I realize is kind of like my inner six-year-old saying FU to responsibility out of... I don't know. Spite? Self-pity? Self...

Don't call it a comeback...

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 11:09:18 EST

MAMMA SAY KNOCK YOU OOOUUUUT...

(Anyone remember that? Anyone?)

So, I really let myself go over the holidays... between multiple illnesses and a surgery (nothing serious, but enough to lay me up for a while), I have put a little weight back on.

I'm not freaking out; I'm not panicking. But I am determined.

I restarted P90X last week and boy, am I feeling it... but already, my body is starting to reacclimate to it. It's going to be a struggle, but ...

Soooo...

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 10:06:06 EST

I fell off.

But I'm back on.

And I didn't fall off ENTIRELY, because I've been really super-active...

But still, I fell off the regimen.

I've decided that it's morning or nothing as far as working out goes - if I decide to postpone workouts to the evenings, they simply will not get done because too much "stuff" comes up that prevents me from doing it. Important stuff.

And you know, when I'm in rehearsals for shows is when I am most succe...

ow owie ow ow

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 09:59:37 EST

Yesterday, on top of it being "Legs & Back" day (lunges! squats! pullups!), Andrew and I joined some friends of ours at the Renaissance Faire - a sprawling park built on a winery and estate in Pennsylvania. We had gorgeous weather, and we tromped around all day, uphill and downhill.

Today, my butt muscles HURT. In a very good way. :)

Tonight is Kenpo... and I think tomorrow I may hit the road for a little more running.

I think I should run while I can, be...

Feel-Good Friday

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 11:26:09 EST

I appear to be back in my groove, which is nice...

I hate that I let others' needs, schedules, etc. interfere with my agenda. I need to be better about sticking up for myself.

Plus, it didn't help that I was feeling physically miserable on top of all that.

I seem to be past it, though, and happy to be back in somewhat of a routine.

I think I'm also feeling somewhat of a reignited motivation because I have found an adult ballet class that works on s...

Fitbit and Sparkpeople!

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 11:09:28 EST

SO glad that the Fitbit now works with Sparkpeople!

It's wonking up my calorie burn totals, though. Wonder if there's a way to fix that...

ANYHOO, it's great because now I have extra motivation to wear the thing and use it. And anything extra I can do to keep myself on track is well worth it, even if the tech kinks still need to be worked out.

Excited, because I'm going to run tonight for the first time since being hurt. It'll be a very gentle run/walk - ce...

Two pieces of good news

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 20:40:15 EST

1) TOM finally made a belated arrival. I say this is good for a few reasons, not the least of which is not being pregnant. Believe me when I say that having PMS for three weeks is about the worst feeling ever!!

2) I think my ankle is nearing 100% healed.

Hooray for small miracles!

*~*~*~*

Car's in the body shop - I'll have it back by next Friday. $2600 in damages! Dang!!

All messed up

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 12:57:14 EST

So I was trucking along, having a good day...

and then last night, as I was on my way to Stitch-n-B*tch, I hit a deer.

I'm fine, only minor damage to the car, can't speak for the deer. But it was a big deer. An eight-point buck. Dang.

I'm actually really lucky. I didn't swerve, which is good; I could have easily either gone into oncoming traffic or over the embankment. I credit having grown up in the middle of "deer country" for that. Folks from those pa...

Excited...

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 12:06:13 EST

...because I have a GREAT Halloween costume planned. (Ssshhh, it's a secret!)

I wouldn't have dared try to wear this costume other years, but with my new bod... yeah, totally, I'm there. :)

*~*~*~*

Had a pretty good day yesterday, foodwise, and today stands to be just as good. We've got our Stitch-n-B*tch this evening, and it's my turn to make dinner... so I'm making my infamous vegan chili. Can't wait to show this off to the girls, because it's one of the...

Accidental research

Fri, 5 Oct 2012 11:06:42 EST

So...

When I did P90X the first time, instead of buying the (overpriced!!!) supplements to go with the program, I instead used Muscle Milk.

What a gross name: Muscle Milk. Ew.

But anyway.

I used this stuff because it had vital things in it that the body needs when it is being put through the rigors of working out - especially that crucial shot of protein and carbs one needs after an intense workout. There's also a touch of creatine in there for g...

TOM, you jerk

Thu, 4 Oct 2012 20:44:22 EST

I feel gross.

And I know it's because TOM is on its way...

But I'm late.

And before you ask - yes, I peed on a stick, and no, I am not pregnant.

Blargh!!! Bloaty, icky, gross, fatigued, bah!!!

Must... resist... hibernation...

Tue, 2 Oct 2012 10:48:15 EST

Cool, very grey day...

Now I remember why I'm not a fan of October. I love how my blood pressure just seems to sink, but the shorter days and the cooler air make me just want to curl up in the corner and hibernate - which is pretty much the complete antithesis of who I am and what I love to do. I'm a mover and a do-er - but I'm also someone who tends to let environmental factors affect me.

Maybe I should get one of those full-spectrum lamps to help counteract seasonal ...

Active weekend!

Mon, 1 Oct 2012 19:16:22 EST

So Andrew's cousin got married on Saturday... and since his cousin is half Iranian, there was quite a bit of Middle Eastern dancing at this wedding.

Fortunately, I have years and years of Middle Eastern dance training. :)

Man, did it feel good - and validating! - to get up there and dance with these amazing people!

And on Sunday, I tromped all over Newark. The weather was so beautiful, how could I not??

All this activity is why I find it really ha...

Fasting

Thu, 27 Sep 2012 10:28:09 EST

I fasted for Yom Kippur yesterday...

...and it's weird, but I feel more energized today. I've heard research that the occasional fast can actually be good for you - I wonder if this is true?

Anyway, I've started Week 3 of P90X, and I'm loving that I'm back in my groove. Long may it last. :) I'll be done with it in December, JUST in time for my office holiday party.

I just realized I've spent a year with Tony Horton, and it's changed my life. I'm thinking ...

Done with Week 2

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 19:53:52 EST

And once again am hitting my stride. :) P90X is really an amazing program - I will never stop singing its praises!

I think I'll be road-ready by October 1 - and I'm going to start running again, REALLY SUPER OMG SLOWPOKE SLOWLY. If I reinjure myself, I'm going to be beyond despondent... and we don't want that, do we? No, we do not.

OK - workout done, time for dinner and downtime with the kitties and the babydog!

Lentil Soup!

Fri, 21 Sep 2012 15:04:52 EST

Hey, so...

Look!

recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detai
l.asp?recipe=2242508

I made this, and it's really, REALLY good - and super good for you!

I'm not sure Andrew liked it very much, but then again, he's not really a "soup for dinner" kind of guy. (Although he does like my vegetarian hot pot soup. recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detai
l.asp?recipe=1538387 )

Anyway, figured I'd share - as the weather...

Head cold :(

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 10:41:40 EST

Not going to let it stop me, though - worked out last night (did surprisingly well, and felt pretty good after), and I intend to try plyo tonight.

Come on, Theraflu, work your magic...

Week 2!

Wed, 19 Sep 2012 11:26:20 EST

Decided against a workout last night and instead just did an hour of lovely stretching, thanks to Tony Horton. Taking a rest day is making all the difference for me... I feel refreshed and rejuvenated and ready to tackle chest & back today!

The only thing irritating me today (and it's a mild irritation) is that I feel like I may be getting a cold. Hopefully, this is not the case, and it's just really wicked allergies, but I crashed out pretty bad last night and woke up with the...

Rest day... aaaaaahhhh.

Tue, 18 Sep 2012 10:12:02 EST

Going to do the stretch program at lunch in my boss's office (he's gone today, woot!), and then maybe a very light workout when I get home from work. I'm still afraid I'm going to reinjure myself, so I'm going to take my prescribed rest days very seriously and deliberately - at least initially until I regain strength in the injured areas.

Thinking I'm going to get back to running in October. That gives me PLENTY of time to completely heal and be physically prepared - and mental...

Monday!

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 10:14:38 EST

Almost done with week 1 of P90X: Round Three! I'll tell you what, it's good to be back in the routine. There's something very... I don't know - comforting? - about something you do every single day that's good for you, even if you don't necessarily feel like doing it at the time.

I saw something recently that made me smile and gave me new motivation... it was a picture that said, "You are one workout away from a better mood." And isn't THAT the truth? Seriously, how many of us ...

When the mind shouts over the body

Fri, 14 Sep 2012 12:00:15 EST

For those of you that don't know me, in a competition, I am formidable. Chances are, if you happen to be in the same competition with me, you're going to say, "whoa, she's pretty intense."

You would be 100% correct.

I don't do it to be a jerk - though I've been accused of that by people who do not know me better. I don't do it to be a badass - a descriptor to which I do not aspire but will happily accept.

In fact, if you're in a competition with me, believe ...

Checking in...

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 12:45:15 EST

Quickie drive-by!

Had a REALLY challenging day yesterday... it's autumn, and that means apple cider doughnuts make a regular appearance around here. Someone brought some in yesterday, and I really had a hard time resisting them - but I did. Woo hoo! Power reps for the "resistance muscle" group!!! :)

*~*~*~*

Scheduling workouts for this go-round is a bit trickier as I'm now having to manage Andrew's crazy schedule against my own. Not a big deal; just need ...

P90X - Round 3, Day 1!

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 10:32:59 EST

I promise you, I'm still here, and I'm still doing well. :)

As I'd posted before, I was dealing with some injury - and I am mostly healed. Soon as my left ankle healed up (no pain anymore, yay!), my RIGHT achilles started firing up for reasons that I can't quite figure out. So... more rest, light stretching, epsom soaks, and healing for the past several weeks.

Today, I started P90X again, and I felt good! Still going to baby this achilles thing for a while yet, but o...

Back in the saddle (almost)

Mon, 13 Aug 2012 21:50:12 EST

Ahh, kenpo. How I’ve missed you.

I had to modify some of the jumpy moves because the ankle’s still a little wonky, but like Tony says: an injury or a disability is not an excuse to sit around and do nothing, it’s an opportunity to be creative and find a way around it! For such a long time, I let things like my gimp leg and severe asthma slow me down because doctors always told me to take it easy, but my karate instructor a few years ago taught me how to exercise carefully and smart...

NEEYYYYAAAAARRRRGGHH

Fri, 10 Aug 2012 11:39:46 EST

That is the sound that a frustrated athlete makes. >:(

Tried to do plyo last night... and my ankle pretty much went "LOL NOPE!!!" and I was flat on my butt for the rest of the night.

Dammit anyway.

But, I'll not be kept down! Tony Horton says that when you have an injury, rather than use it as an excuse to not do anything, use it as an opportunity to be creative and figure out ways around it.

So -commence Plan B. Until I'm fit to jump around like...

Hey guys, it's working!

Thu, 9 Aug 2012 13:00:05 EST

I am referencing the healing mojo/vibes/etc. :)

I feel pretty good today! Ankle's still a bit stiff, but I think I'm on the downslope of the hill now. I had a workout last night - chest, shoulders & triceps - and my ankle started out being funny and tight, but it loosened up. Tylenol before bed, and Voltaren topical ointment (from when I sprained my foot last October - thank you, Dr. Mulvey!!!), and this morning I woke up feeling okay! I did some light hopping around on it... ...

INJURY... bah!!!

Tue, 7 Aug 2012 15:44:08 EST

So, about a week ago, I had a really great run... was feeling terrific about myself... right?

I rolled my ankle during that run, but didn't think anything of it because it didn't hurt... AT THE TIME. I had to deviate off the sidewalk because a dude and his 17 dogs were coming down the sidewalk, so I ran across the grassy portion of the common area to get out of his way. My left ankle rolled out a little - just a little bit! Really didn't feel like anything!

The next d...

Thank you, sir, may I have another?

Thu, 26 Jul 2012 20:23:50 EST

LOL.

That's how I was feeling after plyometrics tonight. I did better tonight than I ever have before, and that feels pretty darn good. I've come a long way from way back in March, when I nearly passed out doing plyo!

The other great thing is that the plyo's really going to help me with my running, especially now that I'm learning a new form. It helps me to think of my landings as being comprised of two parts - first land on the forefoot/midfoot, then lower the heel t...

Tempted!

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 16:49:08 EST

Had a very sweaty, very disgusting run last night... but it was successful! I ran/walked 2 miles (walked about .8, ran the rest). It was gross, but it felt great - and NO PAIN. I'm actually kind of glad it was nasty hot outside, because I think I might have been tempted to go further than I should have. I definitely started feeling fatigue in my legs towards the end, which was my signal that I was done for the day... but I know that had it been a beautiful, cool night, I totally would hav...

Hydration

Tue, 24 Jul 2012 09:47:44 EST

I'm not feeling great today... started last night, actually. I dozed off on the couch and woke up with my eyes all dried out, and I had body aches. Weird. Still not feeling 100% today - and Andrew said he wasn't feeling great, either.

I don't often get sick - at least, not anymore. I'm hoping I just need to maybe hydrate; the weather's been really humid, and it's supposed to be in the 90s again for much of the week, so maybe I just need to pay more attention to hydration and nu...

quickie!

Sun, 22 Jul 2012 23:05:02 EST

Not much time for a post, BUT -

Logged some steps on my Fitbit today... we went to the State Fair! I oohed and aahed over the sheep, goats, and alpacas, made friends with some super-cool horses who got ear-scritches from me, looked at the arts and crafts submissions to see what kind of knitting projects are winning blue ribbons nowadays (I'm totally submitting next year!), and, surprisingly, didn't eat too much crap. We were fortunate as there was actually a vendor selling Thai f...

Second run in Vibrams

Sat, 21 Jul 2012 11:59:40 EST

So I had a registered mail package that needed to be picked up at the post office...

And I figured, hey, why not RUN there? It's close enough to walk, so it's close enough to run.

A little further than my run on Thursday, and I did a run/walk (mostly run), but it went very well. Definitely began to feel the fatigue towards the end because I'm using all these new muscles with this new form.

This leads me to think that for at least the next few weeks or so, I ...

Rain, at last!!

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 10:31:52 EST

It's not going to cure the drought we're in, but I am so, so glad it is raining. Already, my flowers have perked up, my vegetable plants look healthier, and my grass is starting to get greener.

I didn't even care that it was starting to drizzle during my run last night. It felt GOOD. :)

*~*~*~*

Busy weekend planned - leaving work early, getting a workout in before scooting out to see "A Midsummer Night's Dream" tonight.

Tomorrow, we may be pick...

First run in VFFs!!

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 20:37:04 EST

I have to say, it felt great!!

Granted, it was just a quick spin around the block... because I am taking the advice of those who have trod (barefoot) before me and am going really slowly and gradually into this new technique of running. I have to unlearn my old form and learn a new one.

Surprisingly, though, I didn't find it hard. I kept my feet under my hips, ran nice and tall, led with my ...

Huff. >:(

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:21:57 EST

Pardon the rant...

...but I think it's really rude to openly scrutinize someone's plate.

I understand that people do this to me because I'm a vegetarian, but I don't go cross-examining and then offering my opinion to meat-eaters on their choices. I expect the same courtesy, and I don't think it's too much to ask.

Next person who does it to me will get a full diatribe about why I do not eat meat. I might even show pictures or video.

running!

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 11:21:07 EST

I'm excited, because I think I'm going to start running again!

This is going to be in addition to P90X, by the way. I'm already on Day 21 of my second round of P90X - and I'm still challenging myself every day - but I have really missed running, and I'm really psyched about getting back to it.

I used to be quite an avid runner, but constant injury frustrated my efforts. Nothing helped - spent a lot of money on trial and error with different types of shoes - and so I ...

So... let me explain.

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 09:54:43 EST

Eh, I feel kind of bad. I was doing so, SO well, up until this past Sunday.

As you may know, if you are a regular reader, I have a daily workout habit. And by daily, I mean truly daily - every single day, I work out.

On Saturday of this past weekend, Andrew and I stupidly went to the ice cream festival up in North Wilmington. I say "stupidly" because the high temperature that day reached 102 degrees. Now, I generally like the heat, but 102 degrees was even too much f...

And now, I'm a Mrs. :)

Wed, 27 Jun 2012 10:41:07 EST

Yup - the wedding festivities have come and gone, and we are still over the moon. :) What a fabulous weekend! Everyone had a great time, the wedding was a beautiful and fitting statement of our commitment, the show closed out with a bang, and we got some serious partying done!

I'm really glad that I am in good physical shape, because I know that the strain of the wedding and the show and everything else would have completely destroyed me, otherwise.

Also - I've finish...

TWO DAYS

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 09:31:46 EST

Two days before the wedding, and I have reached my mini-goal of 130!

I guess it's time to set another mini-goal?

Whoosh, and away I go, to do more wedding jazz.

See you guys when it's all over. :)

Whaaaat?

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 10:25:26 EST

TWO days in a row of blogs???

No way!! LOL.

I have a few moments to catch my breath and say that I'm getting married in 9 days... which is actually the perfect amount of time to freak out. :)

I'm not obsessing over wanting everything to be perfect, because I know that perfection is not only impossible - it's overrated. And frankly, I don't want to focus on making sure it's all perfect; I want my focus to be on one thing only, and that's the awesomeness of p...

Whew!!!!

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 10:51:14 EST

Wowzers - long time, no bloggy...

That's because I've been pretty busy! But the good news is that the show has opened, which was a lot of hard work - especially during tech week.

Also, the wedding... yep, that's happening. :) In a week and a half! We've got some last-minute stuff to deal with, but honestly, everything's coming together pretty well - I can't complain.

And the whole time, even among opening a show and planning a wedding and everything else...

P90X Day 60 pics

Tue, 29 May 2012 10:10:58 EST

I took a bunch of them - coming soon!

For now, though, I am posting this:

Yeah. Suffice to say - the program WORKS!!

Three-Day Weekend

Fri, 25 May 2012 09:51:51 EST

Like many other Americans, I have a three-day weekend due to the upcoming Memorial Day holiday.

I plan to do the following:

1) Workouts (of course)

2) Clean out the pond

3) Work more on the show set

4) Catch some sun on the deck and do NOTHING.

That's IT. I'm too tired to do much else! With any luck, Andrew will be able to do some of this with me; he's just as busy and tired as I am.

And, as an aside, all of my e...

Updates and stuff

Thu, 24 May 2012 11:21:00 EST

Yeah, it's been another one of THOSE weeks... so busy. So ridiculously busy. And seriously burning out. Glad that we have a three-day weekend coming up, because I seriously need it. What was I thinking, trying to do a show and have a wedding at the same time?!?!

Anyway - even in spite of a really rigorous bellydance lesson last night and not much in the way of sleep, I got up - early! - and did Plyometrics. The first five minutes was kind of rough, but once I got into it, I th...

skjdhfalkhalsdffaf

Tue, 22 May 2012 11:03:56 EST

So I had a really nice blog entry all typed out, and it went and got lost, and I don't have time to recreate it. >:(

To sum up:

1) I got bitten by a tick, but I think I'm OK as it wasn't a deer tick and I took all the right precautions;

2) I FRIGGIN HATE TICKS AND THEY GROSS ME OUT

3) I lost another pound!

4) I'm in my final four weeks of P90X - and plan to restart when I'm finished. :)

WHOOOOSSHHH

Fri, 18 May 2012 17:21:06 EST

Did you see that blur fly by??

That was me! :)

So busy... but I wanted to drop a quick note to say that my dress had to be taken in ANOTHER 1.75 inches... wowzers! Good thing I have one more fitting a few days before the wedding, I think, because I'll be pretty close to Day 90 by then, and at this rate - who knows???

Refreshing trend!

Thu, 17 May 2012 12:11:34 EST

I am heartened to see the "Strong is the New Skinny" trend.

See:

www.appforhealth.com/2011/11/strong-
is-the-new-skinny/

and

dancemagazine.com/issues/July-2008/I
s-Muscular-the-New-Skinny

Finally - being HEALTHY is starting to be admired and aspired to!