Amber's Best Life Journal

[Foxfiregrrl]

Thanks, Denise! I know that eating out is something that I will always do, so it is really important that I learn to make better choices now. If I just don't eat out while I'm "dieting" then I won't learn to make those choices as securely.

K, gonna be a quickie tonight... I'm Exhausted!

Food today:
B- Kashi w/ soy, coffee
L- chicken sandwich, veggie soup, banana, more coffee (told ya I was tired)
D- pork tenderloin, blackeye peas, corn
total - don't know yet, gonna input it tomorrow

I went to the HydroFit class at the gym today with one of my friends from work. It was a water aerobics class full of old ladies. So, I'm thinking us young ones have it made.. NOT!! That instructor kicked my butt!! about 15 minutes in my right calf cramped up and it is still hurting. I slowed way down and would get it to uncramp, but then it would recramp a few minutes later I was able to make it through the class, but even with out the cramp it was a tough class!! I can feel the ab work already My other calf is a touch sore too. I probably won't be able to walk tomorrow or I'm not sure which one. My legs are still quivery and shaky. Boy am I outta shape

I get to count that as an extra 10 minutes of cardio today, since it was one hour and I usually do about 30 minutes

Today at work was BAD!! I was thinking I REALLY need some yoga on days like these I can't wait to get started with that! I am also definitely joining the gym too! I really enjoyed the class and having my friend there.
Oh, yeah, while the class was kicking my butt, this middle aged lady looks at me and says "you can do it, you can't let those OLD ladies beat you!" I just busted out laughing! But, they did beat me I'm gonna go back though! I can master this class!

Gonna go crash now!

 

[lindalinda]

Amber, I am glad you are joining the gym. I did one of those water classes once a million years ago. I remember it was hard! But you dont sweat, so thats good!

I went to the Y today, myself. I did the machines and stuff. Looked at the classes, but I didnt see any I liked at good times. And no yoga. I bet you will like the yoga, once you get into it.


Yay on the weight loss,keep up the good work!

 

[Foxfiregrrl]

I have been SO exhausted today! I'm really sore from that class last night, but beyond that I'm TIRED like as if I haven't slept in several days I felt similar yesterday. Not really sure what is up with that The cats have woken me some in the night, but I usually wake up once to use the restroom, so that shouldn't mess me up too bad. Well, at least tomorrow is Friday

Today I came home from work a little bit early and just did some work from home. I just couldn't stay in the office anymore. I can't seem to get anything done there. I probably got more done in 2 hours here than a whole day at work

DH got a "lateral move" that he has been wanting. Basically they took away some of his duties so that he can actually focus on getting some of the more important things done. He was doing the work of 3 people, so now he only will have the work of 2 people
So we went out for dinner tonight and kind of celebrated. It was two for one mixed drinks so we each got one. We had Sex on the Beach. It was really sweet and didn't taste very strong. So the waiter comes by and asks how it is and DH says it could be stronger. Well, he brings us back another shot to put in it Way to increase that tip, buddy!

So, since I already had one drink I figured I might as well at least get a buzz out of it. I'm having a White Russian now. Yumm!

No exercise today. I'm sure I'm over in calories too. So all in all not a good diet day. I figured I could treat myself today because it has been a VERY rough week and I have been doing SO well lately. I actually have lost 8.1 pounds already and the month isn't even over yet

Food:
B- kashi w/ soy, coffee
s- fruit nut mix
l- chick sandwich, soup (didn't have lunch til after 3pm )
d- chips & salsa, shrimp quesadilla, rice, guacamole salad, Sex on the Beach
s?- White Russian
Total I don't know if I want to check. I'll come back to that

K, gotta go fix my mp3 player so that I can tune out my coworkers tomorrow!

 

[Foxfiregrrl]

I survived the work week!!

Slept not well at all last night. Woke up with heartburn, then every time I moved, my calves would sear w/ pain and threaten to cramp up So then when it finally came time to get up I was like "NO Don't make me get out of bed" but eventually a dragged myself to work.

Went out to lunch w/ my unit mates today. I ordered Chicken salad on salad and a bowl of broccoli cheddar soup. Got the chick. salad and it was kinda sweet and not really my thing. I ended up trading it for my friend's bowl of soup which she wasn't that fond of. So I basically ate 1.5 bowls of soup & a little bit of chicken salad

No exercise today, calves are still quite sore. I am debating if I will make it to yoga in the morning. I am nervous about going to my First yoga class when I'm already sore. I just don't want to be miserable in class and give myself a bad first impression. I'll see in the morning.

Food-
B- kashi w/ soy, coffee
L- Broccoli cheddar soup, chicken salad salad
d- Grilled chicken in salad w/ walnuts and feta
s- coffee
total = 1203

Oh, my total for Wednesday was 1114 and Thursday was 1976

K, I have to be good over the weekend. See ya'll later!

 

[Foxfiregrrl]

So, I've been being really lazy this weekend. Didn't get to sleep until about 5am Saturday morning, so I definitely didn't make it to Yoga. My legs feel better today, but I'm just not in the mood to exercise lame I know and I know I need to do better.

We went shopping yesterday and out to lunch. We had considered going to see Cloverfield, but decided to go home instead. I've been working on a puzzle this weekend and that has been enjoyable. I can't remember the last time I actually put together a puzzle.

Food yesterday:
b- kashi w/ soy, coffee
l- 1 egg, 1 sausage, 3 biscuits w/ gravy (we went to cracker barrel )
d- pork tenderloin, potato, carrots - in the crockpot, yum
total - 1600 not too bad considering the biscuits

today so far:
b - two cups of coffee
l- pork tenderloin, potato, carrots, english peas, 1.5 biscuits, sweet tea
total so far - 820

dinner will be either a stew or soup says DH

K, gonna go work on my puzzle now. Have a great week!

 

[mom2alix]

I'm afraid I'm with you on the not in the mood to exercise this weekend! I absolutely HAVE to got tonight. I skipped Friday night and yesterday. Usually Sundays are our rest days, but now I really need to go tonight since I've been so lazy. I also have 2 evening activities scheduled for next week so I need to make sure to get into the gym and work out during the day. I have been doing a big house cleaning today. I think I'm on my fourth load of laundry, and been getting everything else picked up so I can vaccuum and dust. I really need to tackle the piles on my desk, but I really WANT to take a nap. I'm coming down with a cod and it's just so hard to get motivated to do anything. Hopefully my lack of motivation won't show up on the scale this week. I really need to make up for that small gain last week.


Really try to go to yoga, especially if you are sore. The instructor in my class usually asks if anyone has a area that really is bothering them and helps them work on getting is stretched out. Yoga can actually make you feel a lot better if you're sore/tight from doing other exercises. I don't count it as exercise like my cardio, it's more of a well-being thing for me.

 

[lindalinda]

Yoga Yoga Yoga Yoga.

 

[Foxfiregrrl]

I went to the gym yesterday after work and joined Then I got on the treadmill and realized that I NEED a new pair of shoes!! I couldn't even do 20 minutes because the ball of my left foot hurt so bad. I managed to eek out 17 minutes.

Went today and did my assessment which was pretty lame. They took my blood pressure and heart rate, then measured my body fat. She said there were other things she could assess, but I declined. One was riding the bike and letting her measure my heart rate, blah. So then she showed me some of the strength training machines. It was not a work out just testing the machines.

My boss let me work from home today which was Great because I had a LOT of documentation to do and I just couldn't concentrate in the office. But I set my bar a bit high for myself so I had to work REALLY hard and then just Barely got it all done.

I had planned to go to step class w/ my coworkers, but one was sick and the other had forgotten about it. I was working so hard that I let time get away from me and still needed to cook before I left, so I wasn't going to make it either. The non-sick coworker and I agreed that we will try the water aerobics class again tomorrow since we didn't make it to step today. We just both will have to pace ourselves better this time. She was really sore last week too.

Yesterday food:
b- kashi w/ soy, coffee
l- leftover shrimp quesadilla, soup, blackeye peas
d- soup leftover from Sunday
total - no idea
The soup dh made had pork, potato, lima beans, corn, & chicken in it. It was good and I think pretty healthy.

Today food:
b- kashi w/ soy, coffee
l- chicken sandwich, soup
d- chili made with deer
total - 1075

So, I have to buy myself some new shoes so that I can workout. Gonna have to do that this weekend. I looked back and I bought my current shoes sometime around October 2006 so I would say that I'm due for a new pair
Oh, yeah, Linda I was reading back in my 2006 journal. That was back when I was at that AWFUL other county office at work. I can't believe I made it through that miserable experience! I thank you and Marie for sticking with me through that too! I know that I was not a fun person to "hang around" back then! I find it amazing how much difference a different office can make I love my new supervisor!! I try to make sure she knows how much I appreciate her too!
It's funny to look at that now, because we are preparing for an audit and everyone is panicked and there are times when I feel a bit overwhelmed. When actually it is not really that much. I'm just having to do some extra phone calls and document carefully, then I also was Way behind on updating some of my files so I'm having to do that. All that is pretty easy on 15 cases compared with having 45 cases all the time What a great way to put it into perspective.

K, gonna go watch Biggest Loser now! Have a great night guys!!

 

[Foxfiregrrl]

So my coworker bailed on me but I went to water aerobics anyway. It was good. I didn't work so hard tonight because I didn't want to be sore for 3 days. I feel like I got a good workout, but didn't overdo it.

Work today was CRAZY! So I really felt I needed the gym tonight. It really helped me to lose the stress of the day. Still thinking about the Insane things happening w/ my cases, but not stressing about them. I can't help it people are stupid I just work with what they give me

Food:
b- kashi w/ soy, coffee
l - Arby's market fresh turkey & swiss sandwich, fries, pepsi
d- soup
total - don't know yet, too tired to look it up.... will do tomorrow

See ya'll!

 

[lindalinda]

Amber, good job on getting to the gym today!

I am with you on the shoes, if your feet hurt you cant do much. Mine are rubbing a little but I figured out I can do the elliptical better than the treadmill, because you dont pick up your feet, the pedal thingys move with you, so they dont rub. You might try that.

dont work too hard!

 

[mom2alix]

Great job of getting to the gym! I'm super proud of you!!! How was your weigh in this week? I was a no change. Just gotta work harder for next week!

 

[Foxfiregrrl]

Hi, guys! TGIF!

I stayed the same this week. I'll take that though since I didn't workout much last week and it was TOM.

Rebecca - how has it been going this week? Have you been doing well on the diet? How bout exercise days? I know that the exercise is my weakest point. Keep at it and you can do it!

Didn't get any exercise yesterday, but I wasn't sore so that's a plus. I did go have a massage yesterday afternoon

Yesterday's food:
b - kashi w/ soy, coffee
l- smart ones lasagna
s- small bag of popcorn
d- shrimp - half fried, half grilled, baked potato, salad
total - meh, haven't added it up

today's food:
b- kashi w/ soy, coffee
l- HC steamer thingy
d- grilled sausage and grilled shrimp, corn (my parents gave us their leftover sausage and shrimp from dinner - not sure if that's good or not )
total - 1216 not bad

So yesterday we went out for dinner and I was proud of myself for not getting all fried.

Tomorrow we have the Mercer Big Dance that we have gone to for the past two years with my parents. They provide the music and the tables and you bring your own food and beverage. The table seats 8 so it is DH & I, my parents and two other couples my parents age. Last year by the time we got there the other couples were DRUNK! They were very funny. The food is usually a variety of stuff, mostly party/snacky foods. So far I know there will be: pimento cheese sandwiches, hot wings, shrimp, lil smokies, cookies, and maybe a veggie tray. DH & I are likely bringing the veggie tray and then whatever else I come up with. I am thinking of making that "white trash" sweet snack mix and then maybe a spicy snack mix... but I don't know. I'm trying to get DH to make guacamole, but he doesn't know if he wants to or not.
We really enjoy the dance! I think it's great because DH usually says he doesn't like to dance, but for whatever reason he really likes going to this one go figure. We will get plenty of exercise from the dancing, but the food and booze is likely to throw me off pretty bad. I will try to be careful with my calories during the day tomorrow and on Sunday. I just hope I can still post a loss come Tuesday!

Btw, I am down .6 as of this morning, from Tuesday. Hope I can keep that off, plus I would like a bit more

K, see ya'll tomorrow!!

 

[Foxfiregrrl]

Yesterday was a busy day. I woke up and within 15 minutes my dad called and wanted to book our flight to Las Vegas. We had not done it yet because I was hoping the price would come down some, but instead it was going up and the good flights were getting full. We ended up getting a decent flight but it was a pain in the butt!

DH & I went out to lunch and then made a HUGE grocery run. We needed lots of stuff and then had to get stuff for the dance. We spent over $200

I ate pretty badly yesterday and had a bit too much to drink at the dance last night. Actually at one point I felt pretty bad, I think I drank too much too fast. Usually when we get there the music starts w/in 30 minutes. So we set up, eat a little, drink a little, then it is time to dance. Well, this time the music didn't start until after we had been there over an hour. So we sat and ate and then drank, and drank, and drank. By the time we started dancing I was like but I just sat out for a bit and drank a good bit of water. Then we got back out there and danced like crazy. We got there at 6:15, music started shortly after 7:30. We ended up leaving about 11:30 because my mom wasn't feeling well. We had a really good time though (that's dh )

I'm not gonna post my food for yesterday... we'll just say WAY over on calories and leave it at that.

Today:
B- sausage cheese bars, grits, milk, coffee
L- sub style sandwich, veggies w/ dip
D - hmmm.... no idea what we'll have
We've been munching on our leftovers from the dance. May have leftover sandwiches again for dinner or leftover chili from the other night

No exercise today. Just chillin' all day Been working on my puzzle and surfin gonna watch a movie in a bit. I will get back to the exercise tomorrow.

Have a great week guys!

 

[Foxfiregrrl]

Monday I worked from 9am until 10:30pm I ended up eating out for lunch and dinner also because of being on the road.

Tuesday for weigh in I was up .2 pounds, but after the bad eating on the weekend and Monday, I wasn't really surprised.
I ate a bit better yesterday and went to step class at the gym w/ my coworkers.

Food:
b- kashi w/ soy, coffee
l- small sandwich, soup
s- banana, fiber one bar
d- leftovers
s- large white russian felt I deserved it after my rough Monday


Today so far has not been good. I planned to go home for lunch, but it was a co workers birthday and the weather was BAD (raining heavy and some hail) we ended up grabbing Taco Bell so that we wouldn't have to get out of the car. Not thinking I'm gonna get any exercise tonight either. I'm trying to figure out if we are taking my coworker/friend out for her birthday for dinner. We are taking her out for lunch tomorrow, but she seems down about tonight.

May report in later. Have a good night!

 

[Foxfiregrrl]

Well, I've been kind of busy this week which is good and bad. Wednesday was my coworker, M's, birthday so DH & I met her and a few other people out for dinner. We had a really good time. I ate Really badly though!

Thursday I went to aqua kickboxing w/ M (our other coworker, L, didn't go w/ us but she went on Tuesday when we went). The class was good, but the teacher was sick or something so she only did 30 minutes instead of an hour. To counter balance being good and exercising... we went out for lunch for M's birthday (what our unit does for everyone). I didn't make a great choice then either

Friday - ate leftover's from Wednesday night for lunch, then went out and had pasta for dinner I had been craving pizza, but the pizza places were all too busy.

Today we went out for lunch and I had 2 sammies from Quizno's and broccoli cheese soup w/ it, w/ some Pepsi to top it off We did a bunch of shopping today. I bought new tennis shoes and some water shoes so I'm set for exercising!
ALSO... I made it to yoga class this morning and it was really nice. I felt like I was able to do most of the moves, but some were Really hard. I have a 5 class pass, so I will be able to do 4 more classes before deciding if I want to continue there or do it at the gym. I will probably do the Saturday classes because it is so convenient to my house.

So our plan for the evening is to order pizza, drink some wine, and watch a movie or two I know that it is not the healthiest option, but I wanted pizza and we haven't done that in a long time

I've noticed that when I go to the classes in the evenings I don't have much time to get online afterward. When I don't get online, then I don't post my food and calories. So, no accountability and I just keep eating bad foods. I CANNOT and WILL NOT continue down that path! I WILL post my food and calculate it for better or worse!! (starting tomorrow ) I need to do that so that I can stay in control! I also won't be eating out every day anymore I can't afford that health wise or money wise.

Tomorrow is my aunts birthday so everyone will be at my grandma's (not just my family). Who knows what we will have to eat but I will try to eat small portions. I think dinner tomorrow will be something w/ a pork tenderloin since dh set one out to thaw yesterday.

I also need to plan tomorrow for what we will eat this week for dinners. I have work visits scheduled every evening this week, which means getting home at 6 or later. Then I also hope to go to exercise classes at least 2 or 3 nights this week. So I need either planned leftovers or Really simple to make, quick meals.

Also we have one of DH's old friends from high school coming out tomorrow afternoon. He does brick work and we are going to have him price out a patio for us I hope the price is good because we both REALLY want a nice patio badly before summer gets here. We were at the sporting goods store today and they had this really cool table w/ the fire pit in the center & 4 low sitting, rocking chairs. We sat in them and I was like I want this NOW!! But we need a patio to put it on Tonight would be the perfect night for one of those too because it is cool enough for a fire, but not too cold.

Well, guess that is it for tonight. We've gotta go get our pizza soon Have a GREAT night guys!

 

[Foxfiregrrl]

Well, Sunday ended up being a lot more busy than I had planned. We had lunch at my grandma's as usual, but it was my aunt's birthday. We ended up staying until 3pm. Then DH's friend came over about 3:30 and stayed until after 7pm. then since it was so late by then we had leftover pizza for dinner and just chilled the rest of the evening.

Dh's friend is doing a patio for us This Week!! Actually that is part of the reason I am posting at this time of the day.... the concrete truck got stuck in our driveway, so I can't get out to go to work they had to get one of those heavy duty tractor trailer tow trucks to get it out. They are doing that now. It wasn't our driveway actually it was that he drove off the side of it into the ditch, duh!

Anyway, I'm excited about the patio. I'll try to remember to take pictures once it is done and post them.

Yesterday food:
b- kashi w/ soy, coffee
l- sandwich, potatos & carrots, apple w/ peanut butter on it
d - leftover pasta from friday night, w/ minestrone soup

I also went to the gym and did water aerobics last night.

I plan to go again tonight. Dh is going to cook dinner

k, see ya'll later. they unlodged the cement truck, now if they will just move it out of the driveway

 

[Foxfiregrrl]

I have not been doing my best lately and have not really been in the mood to post. guess I hate admitting when I'm off track

I did not make it to the gym on Tuesday because both of my workout partners backed out on me and I got lazy. I did go to aqua kickboxing on Thursday though and I managed to drag my lazy butt out of bed and go to Yoga this morning! I was really trying to find a way out of it, but thought about this week's BL challenge and new I had to do it. My sis called today and said that she wants to start doing the saturday morning class also. That will help me I'm sure!

Food has been hit or miss this week. I have done better than last week, but not by a whole lot. I was bad (eating out) Thursday lunch, yesterday L & D, and today for dinner And I had lots of wine for Valentine's day Woke up with a hangover too

I am going to plan out my meals for the week before we go to the grocery store tomorrow. That usually helps me a lot, so I plan to be back on track starting tomorrow!!

Today DH and I had the Go-Back-To-School VS. Have-A-Baby discussion Again. If I'm going to go my application is due by March 15th and I haven't even started it yet. I keep putting it off because deep down I don't want to go back to school right now. I feel this massive pressure to do it though because I know that if I go ahead and have kids then I probably won't ever go back to school. Plus my window for doing it in 1 year ends in the year 2010, so if I didn't go now or by 2010 then I would have to take 3 years to do it - which also would include doing some classes over again

I do know that this is going to be my career so it makes since to get the degree, BUT my clock is TICKING and I REALLY don't want to wait even a year to have a child!! DH said that he does not want me to make an emotional decision and then regret it down the road. He has said that it is my decision, But he is pushing me toward it a lot.
I cried about it a good bit today, because I'm torn about what to do. Ultimately I would love to have the degree but just don't want to put off having kids in order to get it. The thing that worries me is that I keep trying to come up with some way to go back to school by 2010, but just not this year. So then I think, maybe I really will regret not getting my Masters while I had the chance. ARGH!!! I just don't know DH said to think about it over the weekend and then I can decide what I want to do. Basically I have to decide by Monday because I'm running out of time and as it is I will be Really pushing it to get my stuff in on time if I decide to go.

OK, done w/ the major internal debate now. I'll gladly accept words of wisdom. Linda - I know you've said your thoughts before and I take them into account in this whole debate. I'll gladly hear more if you are willing to give more

Have a good weekend guys!

 

[lindalinda]

Hi Amber! You will love having a new patio. You should get one of those fire pitt things for it, they are cool.


I think I know how you feel about making the big "school vs baby" decision. I am guessing that it probably keeps you from focusing on other things too! If you go ahead and go now, it takes a year is that right? Its been awhile since you talked about it, but I guess you couldnt be pregnant and do the school at the same time? Would that be too much stress? Cause we do have a girl here that just did her training while pregnant and she has survived it ( and air traffic controller training is pretty stressful)

But it also seems like you dread the whole thing too. I know your field is challenging, but it seems like it isnt that highly paid ( I hope that isnt horribly rude). The thing is, are you going to better off, happier, in a better place, in a better position........etc etc.

And when you have the baby....would the new postion be more flexible, less flexible, is the entire concept too much and would you just take several years off anyway to stay home cuz you really want more than one baby.......



I am sure that was very helpful.


nite

 

[Foxfiregrrl]

Thanks, Linda You were helpful in a way and definitely not rude about my job being low paying...It's the Truth I wouldn't be changing positions it would only give me a slight raise, which I guess would be good considering the whole low paying thing and I was considering trying to get pregnant during school if I went...BUT...

I decided not to go at this time. You hit the nail on the head when you said I seemed to be dreading it. I just REALLY was not excited about being back in school and was only going to do it because I felt like I Should do it.

We are going to give ourselves until about July to get our health in balance (dh was slacking because of his cracked tail bone and thinking he had a year) and so that we can get some things around the house ready for kids. A biggie would be that currently both "kid's" rooms are Full of boxes and clutter I had gotten it down to one room, but then I spread out at Christmas and never regrouped. I am excited!! and I'm glad to have a soon deadline to start and still have a little bit of time to prepare. I tried to convince DH that we could start a "trial run" while we are in Vegas, but he said that it would be his luck that we would get lucky on the first try I hope it doesn't end up taking too long, but I am prepared for a wait.

Oh, we also have a patio now The guy is still working on a few details, but it is mostly done. We almost bought a grill this weekend, but DH couldn't decide what he wanted. I the patio!! I is BIG and we will have lots of room to gather and have people over! I can't wait!

Back to the diet and exercise thing..... It's been going fairly well also
Food today:
B- kashi w/ soy
S- handful of pretzels
L- chicken sandwich, grapes
S- rest of grapes from lunch, ONE Samoa
D- Chicken curry over couscous
total - too lazy to put it in right now, but I know it was good!
I got really munchy this afternoon and I stopped myself from snacking more by chewing some chewing gum. It keeps my mouth occupied and messes up my taste buds

I also made it to class tonight at the gym. Water aerobics was canceled tonight so we did a regular class called Hi/Lo Cardio. It was Tough! But I really love the challenge of these type classes! I like to go in and work harder than I think is possible and prove that I can do it! I will probably go to that class again in the future.

I am going to try to go to classes at least M-Th at the gym. I am thinking that I will probably try to mix it up some doing aqua some days and regular classes other days. Then I don't get bored and I can trade out harder days for easier days.

Well, I guess that is enough for tonight. Hoping that I stay on this good roll I feel like I'm on Have a wonderful day tomorrow!!

 

[lindalinda]

Congrats Amber on making the decision! I am sure that is a weight off your shoulders.

That should be enough to get you energized, now FOCUS FOCUS FOCUS!


I am always so much better when I know the plan! You go girl!