UGH

Up 5.2lbs this week at WW. How is this possible?!!!??!?!?!?!!? At what point do you decide to quit? I think I'm there.

An Update

Whoo, it's been a while!

Bullets because I'm a v. busy girl this week:

• I spent the weekend with family in Boston and had a wonderful time
  
• There are 5 school days left of the year
• Summer grad classes started tonight
• I started PACKING for my MOVE!
• Had a Memorial Day dinner party that rocked the house

Hope you're wonderful.

Housing in Fairfield County

Is ridiculous. I've talked about my housing situation before- - how I walk the dog, do the laundry and dishes, take out the trash and recycling and do the laundry in exchange for room and board. It wasn't ever the most ideal situation and caused me a LOT of stress on a daily basis, but it's free, so...

Well, Monday night the woman that I live with called me downstairs to go over a couple of things, (I've been doing this for 7 months, I'm not sure what was left to 'go over' but whatever) then brings the conversation around to how I'm taking advantage of the situation and she's at a real disadvantage as far as she's concerned, blah, blah, blah. I could get more specific, but you don't really care. (If you do care, let me know- - I'll be happy to expound.) I had a minor (MAJOR) meltdown and decided that if I was going to enjoy my summer- - at all- - I had to get out of this hellhole.

I've been apartment hunting and visiting all week and...

I FOUND A NEW PLACE TO LIVE TODAY! It's kind of the same setup only I'm paying for my utilities. And? It's BEAUTIFUL. I have a small cottage on a property all to myself with a greenhouse attached and a GORGEOUS backyard... and?!?! Well, I hate to get too excited when I haven't even moved in yet, but when I got there today they were having cocktail hour so they poured me a glass of wine and we sat out in the backyard and visited. As we were talking we figured out that the woman who owns the house and I have the same birthday. She's 86. Is that a coincidence? It's fate. I have no other explanations.

I feel like this is a dream come true.

Just About Sums Up the Week

Tonight I headed north on 95 to check out a possible apartment. I knocked on the door and the girl answers, and goes, "Oooohh, and you are....(she looks down) M!!! Come in!" I glanced down too and it was at that point I realized I was still wearing my WW nametag.

On a scale of 1-10 that was probably a 7 as far as embarrassment is concerned.

On the flip side, I was down .4. (Probably just what I sweat out at Jazz, but I'll take it.)

I did have a lot to say

then I had an unexpectedly bad night last night. Hopefully I'll post soon with some good news or an update.

Concert in the City

Wednesday afternoon all three of my sisters flew into NYC as we had gotten tickets to see Kate Voegele in concert a while ago. I trained it into the city right after school on Wednesday and met up with them at Sister #2's apartment for happy hour then we headed to the concert. It was *way* more popular than I thought it was going to be but it was, in a word, FUN. We grabbed a table, ordered up some drinks and got the night started!

Yesterday all three of them trained it out to suburbia to meet me at school for lunch. It was so much fun, my kids love meeting my sisters and always have a million questions about all of us. Kids are so inquisitive and naturally comical.

Tonight all four of us plus Sister #2's boyfriend are getting in the car and driving up to my (and my sister's boyfriend's and her soon-to-be) alma mater for graduation weekend. I haven't been back in two years and I CANNOT wait. The five of us, together, for a weekend in upstate NY... WOOHOO!

16 Week Celebration

Tonight marked my 16th week at Weight Watchers. I received a 16 week charm for my key ring. I don't have a key ring yet because in 16 weeks of WW I've lost 5.2lbs. I am probably the only person in the history of Weight Watchers to earn a 16 week award while only losing 5.2lbs.

Also? This week I gained .8.

Should I just quit?!?!

Under New Management

The scoop shop that my sisters and I worked at for a few summers (that I often wrote about) is now under new management. Some of the previous owner's employees have stayed on for this summer. My sisters ran into a couple of them around town the other day and got an update. Things? Are not exactly looking good.

Last summer there were certain times where the cars would be lining the streets causing a HUGE traffic jam on Main Street. HUGE. My sisters and I would rush up there and, even though only two/three people work at a time, there would be 7 or 8 of us getting through a rush. We loved it and would often see how quickly we could have an order ready or time a car from pull-in to pull-out. We're competitive, what can I say?!? My point is, the customer base is built for the new owners to benefit from. From what I've heard... this is NOT going to happen.

Why, you ask...? Let me count thy ways:

The new owners are carrying an entire cooler LESS of ice cream. That is about 8 less flavors that they'll be able to offer.

They did not buy the milkshake machine from the previous owner, which let you make three at a time, and have instead opted to use ONE 1960's blender. (If you know ANYTHING about making milkshakes in an ice cream shop setting you KNOW this is a bad idea. If one car or group orders more than one milkshake- and they always do- you have to wash the entire thing after each one. NOT CONVENIENT AT ALL.)

The sign out front said- "Summer Hours Open Daily 12-8" and they closed at 7pm. Hmm...

They only offer iced coffee when there is leftover hot coffee from the morning. They just put it in the fridge. Iced coffee is *usually* brewed differently than hot coffee and if you order an iced coffee- - do you really want the LEFTOVER coffee?!?!? I think not.

They don't allow the overhead lights to be turned on. This makes the place look perpetually closed.

They don't allow the air conditioner to be turned on. Um? Ew. Sweat? In my ice cream? No thanks.

The best part is... it's not even JUNE yet. Ice cream season hasn't even HIT Vermont. It should make for an interesting summer, that's for sure.

The Weekend

Titles/headings are so overrated. If there was an award for the most boring/generic post titles I would surely win.

My weekend was incredibly boring but simultaneously incredibly perfect. Friday afternoon I knew I wanted to get a work out in right after school but after the debacle last Friday I was a little nervous. I told myself that I just needed to get out and take it easy so I did a nice 4.3 mile run. I'm trying to retrain myself that shorter runs are, indeed, just as valuable as the long ones. I got home from that and let Jillian Shred me. Friday evening I went out and did some errands- - went to Trader Joe's, Costco (needed a new nano and the 4th Twilight book- - New Moon?), and the grocery store then I just came home and did laundry.

Saturday morning I was subbing at jazz so I headed over there early to get ready. My class was awesome. When there are a lot of customers it is so energizing and I burned over 600 calories which is a personal high for me for a jazz class. I was also, after that, exhausted so I didn't even Shred on Saturday. I went over to my sister's boyfriend's house to do a few things they asked me to (his parents were away for the weekend) and started reading New Moon. Then, I babysat and read New Moon some more.

Sunday I didn't even set my alarm because I wanted to "treat" myself and sleep in. It was awesome. I slept until 7:45, stayed in bed until 8:30 then got up and had a leisurely breakfast. I read New Moon basically all day until I motivated around 2:30 to Shred and work out. HA. I got down on my yoga mat to to stretch before Jillian and the next thing I know, I'm waking up and it's after 7pm. Yea... slept right there on the floor for a RIDICULOUSLY long time. I couldn't believe it. I guess I really needed to catch up on some sleep. I went out to dinner with my sister's boyfriend and his parents for Mother's Day which was really nice- - it's great to get out of the house and visit with everyone.

Did ANYONE watch Brothers and Sisters last night? I love that show.

Today was a normal day, I went for a nice long run (9miles) after school and Shredded. It has been the perfect evening. Not having grad school for two weeks is bliss.

While I was at Costco I bought a HUGE bag of the Kirkland Fruit and Nut medley. If I gained weight this week, I know where to turn to. This could be a disaster. Ack. Is this EVER going to get easier!??!

Lastly- - I'm sure many of you know about this site already, but if you don't...
www.textsfromlastnight.com . You MUST check it out. SO funny.

Apologies for this ridiculously random post. You just wasted about 5 minutes of your day. :)

Turn the Radio Up! For That Sweet Sound

I always un-shelve my country music for the summer (call me a fairweather fan if you must) but my go-to country playlist at the moment, aside from Carrie and Taylor on repeat is:

Summer Nights- Rascal Flatts
Put a Girl in It- Brooks and Dunn
She's a Hottie- Toby Keith
If That Ain't Country- Anthony Smith
Flat on the Floor- Carrie Underwood
Drinkin' Again- Corey Smith
Redneck Yacht Club- Craig Morgan
How Am I Doin'- Dierks Bentley
Close- Rascal Flatts
She's Country- Jason Aldean
That Song in My Head- Julianne Hough
You Look Good in My Shirt- Keith Urban
All My Friends Say- Luke Bryan
One in Every Crowd- Montgomery Gentry
The Girls of Summer- Neal McCoy
Get Drunk and Be Somebody- Toby Keith
Something to Lose- Corey Smith
Come on Get Higher- Sugarland

My my-taste-in-music-is-way-more-hip-than-myself go to playlist is:

Don't Trust Me- 3OH!3
She Don't Wanna Man- Asher Roth
Green Light- John Legend
Gives You Hell- All American Rejects
Boom Boom Pow- Black Eyed Peas
If You Seek Amy- Britney Spears
I Love College- Asher Roth
Crack a Bottle- Eminem
Rock & Roll- Eric Hutchinson
Bean It- Fall Out Boy (with John Mayer)
American Boy- Estelle
Jump- Flo Rida
Let it Rock- Kevin Rudolf
Day N' Nite- Kid Cudi
Sex on Fire- Kings of Leon
I'm On a Boat- The Lonely Island
Go Girl- Pitbull
I Got a Man- Positive K
Be By Myself- Asher Roth

What I'm Loving- In Pictures

The Shred Update

I came home and, as promised, got right to Shreddin' down. I still, on day 7 cannot keep up. The cardio is not a problem, and I do great in the beginning but I'm only using 6lb. weights for the first set (plie's with a shoulder press), the middle is fine (bent-over rows & biceps/lunges) with 8lbs, but I go back down to 6lb's for the mutliple-muscle section of the last set (anterior squat/lift) and I cannot do as many as "the girls" do. (How annoying is it when Jillian calls them that?!?) It's driving me crazy. I refuse to move on to level 2 until I can keep up and I just want to GET THERE DARN IT! Good thing I have 23 days to go...

I went to jazz this afternoon and was geared up for a great class but only one person came. I kind of hate that. I would say that 1/2 of my momentum comes from there being a lot of people in class and just having one person there makes it a lot more difficult. I don't know what it is about Thursdays but it's tough for people to make it to class for some reason. I burned 440 calories though- - which is pretty standard. I was worried that I wouldn't burn as much with only one person there. Combined with the Shred I got up to 650 calories burned for the day. Not too bad.

Tomorrow is Friday. Who else is pumped?!?!?

In the Interest of Full Disclosure

I did not wake up early enough to complete the Shred this morning. I was going to, but I woke up at 2 am and couldn't fall back asleep until 3:30 so when the alarm went off, I snoozed instead. I do have every intention of completing it when I get home from jazz this evening.

Also, my goal to not eat any sweets has *not* worked out. I had sugar cookies yesterday and today I had pancakes (three 1/2 dollar sized ones- - not a HUGE deal, but still) and a cupcake. Self control? What is that?

Wednesday High Mileage

I got home yesterday, got the laundry going and set up to get down with Jillian. It was awesome and I burned 150 calories for 20 minutes. Not bad. I finished with her right about the time the clothes were ready for the washer so I switched everything over to the dryer and set out for my run. I tried to mentally pep myself up for it all day so I started out great. I actually felt like the whole run was awesome. I did get a little tired around miles 5/6 but that's not surprising as I was running directly into the wind and I was on the busiest section of the road. Having to be super-aware of traffic stressed me out.

I ran the 9 miles in about an hour and twenty minutes. My average pace per mile was 9:34 which wasn't great and not at all the same as last week's 8:32 pace. I think I messed up the timing on one of them... who knows. I'm not overly concerned. I burned 1100 calories overall which pleased me. I think I need a new ipod nano though, in addition to a new Nike+ system... ack. Too bad I still need to pay of this semester of school. Being a poor graduate student totally stinks sometimes.

I think some summer employment opportunities are working out though and my summer is starting to come together nicely. I'm going to be very busy, but I'm always more successful that way anyway.

It's pouring rain in CT today. BLEH.

It is however, pajama day at school so I'm rockin' black stretch pants and my Wishbone Bowl 2008 tshirt. Life isn't so bad.

Weekly Goals

Being up 1lb for last week encouraged me to make some goals for this week. I'm not making any promises, but here they are:

Do not eat more calories than allowed even when working out technically gives me more calories. I'm going to try to stick to my 23 points/day or 1383 calories per day every day and not go over or use WAP or AP.

Stop the BLT's or the Bites, Licks, and Tastes. If I want something, fine- - take out the correct portion and account for it. No more just trying things out. It doesn't work.

Don't eat grapes for the week. I think those make me gain weight. I'm serious.

Cut the carbs (bad form) and sugar. I'm going to try to eat more wholly this week and eat less sweets and desserts.

NEVER EAT YOGURT COVERED RAISINS OR CHOCOLATE COVERED PLUMS AGAIN. I have no will power with these things and will easily eat the entire bag/container in one sitting. This, obviously, is unacceptable. I think I need to give them up like I have donuts. It's just not worth it.

Try to allow for peanuts/peanut butter because I *love* it and it makes me happy.

Realize that, sometimes, it's okay to be hungry. I am in the process of retraining my brain and body and hunger is a very nasty side effect.

Try to come up with something that keeps my hands busy. I don't have a lot of down time, but when I do- - I like to snack. This has led to mindless eating.


I didn't wake up early enough to do the Shred this morning. Well, I did. But I didn't want to get out of bed. I knew I would have time this afternoon, so I'm going to do it while I wait to switch the clothes (Wednesday is laundry day at the house) over to the dryer. While the clothes are in the dryer I'm heading out on a run. I'm hoping to go for 9miles, but we'll see how I'm feeling. I have all day to gear myself up for it.

Ladies and Gentlemen

I present to you, the wonderful, the fabulous, the wild and crazy, D of D's Dish- - spinnin' the ill ish. Bookmark her now, you won't be disappointed.

Happy Cinco de Mayo

Well, I was up 1lb at WW tonight. I was kind of surprised because I thought I had a good week, but I was okay with it. My goal for this week is to not use my WAP or APs. We'll see how that goes.

Tonight we had dinner at my sister's boyfriend's parent's house and it was, in a word, awesome. It's so nice to have a real dinner and visit with real people. So often my dinner consists of whatever can he heated in the microwave or toaster oven and me, sitting on the couch. Totally lame. I wasn't sure we were really going to be honoring the holiday of C de M, but when I walked in the door I heard the blender going- - MARGARITAS! We had drinks, guac, chips, corn bread, Mexican Chilli... it was so great. Oh, and cheesecake for dessert. God help me. :) I'm so lucky to have my sister and her boyfriend's family so close. It really makes it easier being so far from my own family.

I hope your evenings were as enjoyable as mine.

WW Etiquette

So, ya'll know that my friend and co-worker D (who's blog you'll see soon) does WW with me. We originally had the goal of not telling anyone at work because we just didn't want to deal with the coversations/accusatory looks when we had cupcakes. However, as documented yesterday, she and I are just not the keep-it-to-yourselves types. That's okay. Most people don't even talk to us about it.

Except for one co-worker. (You knew this was coming, didn't you?) And this coworker couldn't be more obnoxious about it. She doesn't say anything to me because I think she knows that I would probably throw down on her sorry butt, but she says stuff to D all of the time. Last week D walked into my classroom with a non-fat latte and she goes, "Ohhh, I see you're not worried about your points today." Another day D was eating a s'more the kids had made and she goes, "Ohhhh, make sure you count those points!" And TODAY D was in the faculty lounge and had four stinkin' Toasteds crackers in her hands and this girl goes, "Oooh, how many points are those?!?!"

SO ANNOYING.

We think D should respond next time with, "Wow, you seem to really know about the point system. You should come with us, you'd probably be really successful."

Any other suggestions?!?!?

Show and Tell

My sister arrived Sunday (NYC) to spend a few days with her boyfriend and have a couple of interviews for summer jobs. She is taking the train out to me this morning, the school that I work at basically has it's own stop- - very convenient, to be my "Show and Tell". My kids have been bugging me to start bringing in show and tell with them once a week so I thought it would be fun to bring my sister! My class has all met her, and they love her, and they are just going to DIE when they see her and hear that she'll be spending the rest of the day with us. She's also going to tell them at this time that she'll have 1/2 of them in class next year as she's going to be a 1st grade T.A. This is going to be a very big day in Kindergarten. I can't wait.

This evening is the big Tuesday Weigh in (I'm praying it goes well) then we're heading over to her boyfriend's parent's house for Cinco de Mayo dinner. (And hopefully a celebratory glass of wine or beer for me based on the weigh in.)

I woke up early again this morning to get my Shred on. I found it really hard to push myself but I made it through. I've really gotta work on those push-ups. :)

Oh! And I have GREAT news to report. My friend D. The one who I keep saying NEEDS her own blog? Well, we created it last night! She doesn't have anything there yet, but when she gets up and running I'll direct you to her... I have no doubts this is going to be good. :)

Shameless Self-Promotion

My friend D (the one you will all love and IS getting her own blog soon) called me after school today to mention that all of my recent talk of exercise and food makes me sound anorexic and unhealthy. In case you were wondering or concerned, I am neither. I AM however trying to lose some weight so I guess it's at the forefront of my mind. All of the time.

I wish I was one of those people who wouldn't mention anything about dieting or losing weight to anyone, make some changes, lose the weight, then show up at a family function or after the summer 4 sizes smaller and have everyone be like, "Oh my god! Oh my god! You're SOOOOOO skinny!" I? Am not that person. Everyone in my family and at work knows that Tuesday? Is weigh-in day. (Ohhh, remind me to tell you about a really rude coworker sometime...)

Disclaimer, done.

I have had quite a few days of really great accomplishments that I should be REALLY excited about, but for some reason it's just not sinking in. I love feeling really proud of myself (who doesn't) and like my hard work is paying off but I haven't felt that, starts-from-your-toes, call-everyone-you-know, excitement lately and I'd really like to.

Maybe if I type it here it will start to sink in...

Tuesday: was down 2.4lbs at WW

Saturday: I found out that I got a 100 on my final paper for my Child Development class which left me with a 103% average for the semester. (Woo!)

Sunday: I ran the 5k with a good time- - turns out I won for my age group and won a prize! (I still don't know what it is, or who to get it from but... DETAILS people, I'm not worried about the DETAILS!"

Monday: Received email notification that I scored a 272 on the NYS LAST test (a teacher certification test). You need a 220 to pass. I won't know the specifics until I get the results in the mail, but I passed! WOO!

All of these things are great. REALLY great. And I should be excited about them, but I'm just kind of ho-hum about the whole thing... whatever to ME!

The Shred & a 5k

I woke up early enough to complete the Shred this morning before heading out for the 5k. I'm glad I did because it would have been tough motivating to do it when I came home. The 5k went well, it was a little cooler than I thought and I had to run with my jacket on which I wasn't planning to do but I ran it in 23:37 or about 7:34 minutes/mile. I think. I can't remember exactly. I was pretty pleased with that although I felt like I was running fast the whole time and that? Isn't EXACTLY fast, but oh well.

There is something inherently different about running a 5k than simply setting out for a 3.2mile run. I hate being chased and feeling like there are people behind me. This does not bode well for races.

I was proud of myself because I ate a great breakfast before going which I don't usually do but then I ruined it at the end of the race by eating cookies, 1/2 bagel, grapes, and 2 muffins. Yea... god help me on weigh-in Tuesday. I have basically zero points and 100 calories left for the day. Go me.

I came home and pulled out my exercise mat to stretch. I don't stretch nearly enough and need to get back into it. I think I have some stretching dvds at my parent's house but they were really boring. Does anyone know of a good stretch workout? I don't want it to be super intense, I just want it to be relaxing and enjoyable. And work.

I don't have too much going on today I think I'm just going to relax for the afternoon (and try to stay away from food) then I'm babysitting at 5.

Day 2- - The Shred

I set out for an 8-9 mile run last night, made it .75miles down the road and had to stop. I was exhausted. That really *never* happens to me so I figured I should listen to my body and head home. I took the long way home so I ended up walking 2 miles then stretched for a while. I think my body needed some rest.

I did want to start the Shred though so I popped that into the dvd player and got started. From everything I read about it, I was expecting a fitness nazi (Jillian) to be screaming the whole time, but the dvd was much cooler and toned-down that I expected. I figured that since I'm in pretty good shape I might to start on level 2 or 3 but decided that I was just going to start at 1 and take it from there.

The dvd is challenging, that's for sure and it gets your heartrate up. In 20 minutes I burned about 110 calories which is just average, but that was okay with me. I'm glad I started at level 1 becuase I couldn't complete each movement perfectly without getting tired. I figured I'll stay at this level until I can complete each section successfully. The cardio or ab parts isn't hard for me at all and I actually jump to the next move before they do, but the pushups and lateral lunges could use some (serious) work. It is quick though and was over before I knew it.

I woke up at 6 this morning (I went to bed at 8pm last night...) and wanted to make sure I got in day 2 of the Shred so I got right to it and did that before I headed to Jazz for PT and double classes. I'm a glutton for punishment, what can I say?!?

Tomorrow I'm running in a 5k and as much I would like to do the Shred before I go (just so it's over with) I think I might wait until after to make sure that my body is feeling good for the race.

May is National Fitness Month and to celebrate our jazz center came up with a May Fitness Challenge that I'm inviting all of you to participate in too- - it's very doable. All you have to do is:

For each of the days left in May (30) complete 1 set of each of the following:
30 crunches
30 pushups
plank for 30 seconds
v-sit for 30 seconds

That's it! It will take probably 3 minutes total and you'll feel GREAT about yourself! I challenge (and encourage) you to start today!

Also- - I watched Made of Honor (Patrick Dempsey) for the first time last night. SO funny. Rent it if you haven't seen it yet!

30 Days

I think I'm going to try Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. Everyone who's done it raves about it and today (the first day of the month) seems like a great day to start. The dog is away for the weekend so I don't need to rush home to tend to him so I think I'm going to stop at Target and pick it up.

We'll see how this goes.

Has anyone done it before? I'm wondering if I should do all three levels or just start at 1... any recommendations would be much appreciated!

Happy May Day and FRIDAY!