On The Search!

Good Thursday guys –

Sorry for the downer post yesterday. I am nervous about next week and it is effecting me mood hardcore. But, I can’t be brought down, dammit!

I took a muscle relaxer last night going to bed, but it still took me 3 hours to fall asleep. The leg feels a little better today, and I’m going to try and keep it that way. The original plan was spinning for today. I honestly don’t know if that’s such a hot idea… I’m going to wait and see how things feel nearer to the end of the day.

I also realized I didn’t post any eats for yesterday. So, here are eats for today:

Coffee

Ezekiel and PB

Banana and edamame

Large veggie salad with tuna on top

Plain Greek yogurt with blueberries

Black bean soup, and… something else. Dunno what.

I am cutting down on the coffee… too much per day. No bueno.

Drinking 80-90 oz of water today is my goal.

I can’t let the nerves bring me down. I have to get EXCITED.

Ok, ok…I’m trying.

5 days. This weekend will be a lot of prep for next week. Solidifying schedules of transportation and sitters for my little minions, (THANK GOD FOR MY MOTHER!!!!) and prepping the house for me not to be running it for a while. I am doing some research on some protein smoothies I can drink post surgery. From what I have seen, it’s difficult to eat after surgery, and it’s also difficult to.. .umm... “go”. So, I think going for some liquid nutrition might help in both cases. I’m going to get some clean protein, stock up on some frozen berries, plain Greek yogurt, and ground flax seed. I may try to incorporate some greens in there too. I don’t know if my blender will actually work for doing greens, so we will see. I don’t have a fancy-schmancy smoothie maker, or anything.

Anyone have a recommendation for a good quality, CLEAN protein powder that doesn’t taste like dog poo?

So, far, I am looking at:

Source

About Time Whey Protein Isolate

Or:

Source

Only Protein 

Both got good reviews on a great site I like to check out for recipes:  He and She Eat Clean

Thoughts bloggers? I know Norma will vote for About Time – That’s what you use, right Norma?

Ok, I’m outta here for now. I may be back later. Peace to all.

6 days, and injury

I’m going to make this quick.

You know I’m busy. Blah blah blah

I had an exam yesterday, and I’m SO happy it’s over. I think I did well.

Last night, I started noticing a “twinge” in my right leg. It would “twinge” in my hip/butt area, and radiate slightly down my leg.

I noticed it a little more trying to fall asleep.

Today, I’m noticing it a LOT and it’s quite a bit of pain now. Not just a “twinge”

My right foot gets tingly, like it’s falling asleep. Which is a switch from the normal heel pain I have in that leg. Score. Not that that pain is gone – no, no – we’ve just added to the pile.

Shit.

I spoke to one of the nurses I work with and she said she bets anything I’ve aggravated my sciatica. It feels very similar to when I had that issue while preggers with Thing 2, so her “diagnosis” rang true for me.

This means no Group Power tonight. I’m going to do some upper body at home.

As I sit, my whole leg, from hip to foot, is freaking throbbing.

Tylenol is not doing jack shit for it.

So, needless to say, I’m unhappy. Also needless to say, it could be a lot worse. So, I’m going to suck it up, ice and heat at home and do some stretches that should be helpful.

6 Days till surgery. 6. Freakin’. Days.

I’m very nervous, of course. But I am very excited. This is a whole new beginning for me.

I hope everyone is well, out there. Peace to all of you.

8 Days left!

Good Monday, bloggers!

Ugh. Monday.

Weekend was good, and I had another awesome workout at Bodyology. This one was a 3 section, 10 minute per section, ladder complex for 2 of the 3. I started with metabolic, because it’s my weakest, so I wanted to bang it out while I still had some steam. 40 switch steps, 40 pushups, 40 band rows, and 40 burpees. Ugh.

Then I moved to TRX where the ladder complex began – 12, 10, and 8 (or 10, 8, 6 for intermediate/beginner) – jump squats, Y-flys, chest press, lunges, rows, core fall-outs.

Then finally, the strength section. Again, the ladder was the same, but I wanted to go a little heavier with weight and take the intermediate ladder. I grabbed a set of 25lb weights. One of the points of this particular set was to NOT remove your hands from the weights. Keep it moving. So, it’s working your grip and forearm strength as well as the other muscles in the exercise. It was weighted squats, exploding shoulder press, weighted lunges, dead lifts and pushups. 25 is my max with exploding shoulder press, and at this point of the workout, I could only “explode” them up once. After that, my form was obviously shot. My shoulders simply wouldn’t do anymore, so I had to drop weight to 20 lbs to do the ladder. About half way through, I thought I wasn’t going to finish is time, but I pushed and pushed. I finished with seconds to spare.

SUPER INCREDIBLY sore today! My legs especially.

Eating was good… tough to stay on track – temptation is everywhere, but triumphed on that. I find getting my water in on weekends especially challenging.

This week is incredibly hectic.

source

Today – work, school, studying for exam (exam tomorrow) home interval workout. – Not home till 8:30

Tuesday – work, school (exam), committee – not home till 9:30

Wednesday - *ahh* a little breather. Work, home, Group Power, home. But, weather is supposed to SUCK

Thursday – work, gym (spin), choir

Friday – Work, gym? Home.

So, I guess, really it’s just tonight and tomorrow that is really nuts. Once I get to Wednesday, it’s not quite as bad.

Source

Last full week of work until surgery! I can’t believe it! In 8 days, I will go in. I’m getting more and more nervous, and trying very hard not to let the nerves get to me. I think I asked hubby 20 times this weekend if it was really “worth it”. I mean, major surgery – 2 boys at home… Each of those 20 times he looked me right in the eyes and said “YES. YOU are worth it”

Love that man.

That’s it for now. I hope you all are doing well out there! Norma mentioned some bloggers that have been MIA – I hope they are OK! Missing you!

Fried - brains, that is...

Confession: I did NOT eat turkey and sweet potato for dinner.

When I got home, hubby had surprised me with food from an awesome vegan restaurant near us. Instead of full (large) meals, he got a few sides of the stuff we really like. So, dinner last night was grilled tempeh with Creole spices, 1 bite of vegan “spanikopita” and some sweet potato fries. It was very, very good. Hard to determine calories, but I am assuming I went over for my daily allotment. But, it’s ok. I did NOT allow it to send me to “that” place. The place I feel as though I have “already screwed up” so I “might as well…” Nope. I moved on, skipped the evening snack, and on plan as usual today.

Speaking of plan, DAMN I need to go to the grocery store!

A committee meeting has popped up for this evening (BOO – I LOVE my Friday nights at home! Grr!) So I am going to get in a quick HIIT at home before hand. Tomorrow morning is Bodyology… I can’t believe I only have a few more workouts there until I am recovered. To return to that kind of intensity, it will probably be 6-8 weeks. *sniff*

Eats for today

Coffee

Ezekiel and pb

Banana

Hummus, naan bread, 2 oz cabot 50% - FYI – NOT enough food for lunch. Enough calories, but not “keep me full” kinda food.

Dry roasted edamame

Turkey breast and salad (that was going to be last night!)

I did not bring enough food for the day today, basically because I just couldn’t wait to crawl into my bed last night and I skimped on… well, skimped on THINKING.  UGH

This weekend will be low-ish key. My “service engine soon” light is on in my car and I am blessed to have a friend who is going to take a look at it – even just to give us a heads up on what the problem could be. Hopefully we will get that done tomorrow morning, as there is another storm coming in tomorrow that could be snow, or rain, or both, and frankly, I would rather be home for that crap.

In other news, they just arrested a girl who was making bombs and threatening to blow up and shoot all the students at the college I attend. Awesome. Really makes me feel nice and safe. Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

That’s it for now, guys… My brain is fried.

To This Day Project

Wow - seriously, 3 posts from me in ONE day? You lucky ducks!

PLEASE check out To This Day Project

An incredible poet, Shane Koyczan, put the bullying experience into a moving piece of art. It's absolutely incredible. Please watch it.

15 Inspirations and 12 days to go!

I don’t have a ton to write about today, but wanted to check in. I promised a list of 15 bloggers that I would nominate for the “Most Inspiring Blogger” award. I read a lot of blogs, for sure, but these blogs are ones I read all of the time, and they inspire me in different ways. When I need some inspiration or a good kick in the ass, I often turn to these folks and their writing. See the bottom of the post for the list. AS soon as I can figure out how to get it on my side bar, I will add it! J

No exercise for me today. I was close to going in for spin class before church choir again, but my body is really, really tired. I mean, really tired. So, I am listening to it, and I am trying to trust myself, which is a challenge for me.

Eats for today:

coffee

Ezekiel and PB

Banana and almonds

Salad with lots of veggies, a tbs sunflower seeds, olive oil and vinegar for dressing, tuna fish on top

2 oz cabot 50% red cheese, dry roasted edamame

Turkey breast, sweet potato, broccoli

Lots of water

 All of this is measured and such – so no worries. I just don’t feel like writing that all out here! LOL

The stats are very good, right where I like to see them. I like to be especially careful on days I’m not exercising fully.

I have decided NOT to weigh myself until the morning of surgery. I have no idea what the scale will say. I know that I feel GREAT. I feel healthy. I feel strong and “light”. I recognize my feeling of hunger and I eat what I have planned. I exercise my butt off and I do NOT wear any kind of body monitor. I’m DONE with the obsessing.

Surgery is in 12 days. 12 freakin’ days!!! BAHHH!!! I can’t believe this! I have such butterflies. I am worried, but excited. I am starting to wonder how the sudden removal of this excess weight will affect my back and heal, which still hurt often.  I suppose that can’t get worse, it can only get better!

Hubby and I were mapping out the financial plan for the next month. The priorities of the items I normally cover: Daycare for Thing 2, before-care at school for Thing 1, needed supplies for the kids (e.g.: diapers, wipes, school supplies), clean food for the family, hospital co-pay and surgical items needed. If we can cover those, everything else can wait. Even credit cards and other bills- If we get into trouble, we will talk to them and work it out.

Speaking of financials – CHECK OUT MY SIDE BAR!!! I have made it to my GOAL of $1500! You remember this goal was lowered from the $2500 because a donor came forward and offered to match my donations up to $1000. Honestly, I’m unsure if that is happening now, BUT if not, we will be able to push through and make it work. And it’s all thanks to my friends and family support, both in my “real” life and here in bloggy-land. THANK YOU.

All I can ask for now is your prayers/good vibes/good thoughts. Thank you in advance for that, for sure!

So, here we are: 15 blogs I read and am inspired by most. Thank each and every one of you for giving me so much in the road I am on (See, Norma, I refrained from using the word JOURNEY! LOL)

Holly at http://www.300poundsdown.com/

Jeannette at http://wolfforlife.blogspot.com/

Norma at http://notnormajean.blogspot.com/

Sarah at http://www.thinfluenced.com/

Kelly at http://www.curvyfitgirl.com/

Chubby at http://chubzilla.blogspot.com/

Stephen at http://www.whoatemyblog.com/

Katie at http://www.runsforcookies.com/

Carissa at http://www.fit2flex.com/

Jane at http://www.keepingthepoundsoff.com/

Drazil at http://www.justmedrazilandsheniqua.com/

Jenn at http://dayoneagain-jenn.blogspot.com/

Dr. PlumPetals at http://plumpetals-workinitout.blogspot.com/

Alan at http://almostgastricbypass2.blogspot.com/

Mary at http://www.asmallloss.com/

Interesting Link

I will do a full post in a bit, but I had to post THIS LINK - makes me SICK.

THIS is how the food industry sees us. They are NOT striving to make our lives healthier or better, no matter what the packaging says. They want us addicted, fat and sick.