Hi. Remember me?

I'm still here! I haven't faded away into the darkness nor have I given up. I've been so busy with school and filling out job applications that blogging has taken a back seat. One elementary principal application I'm filling out has 21 sections.....21!!!!! I've been working on it for four days and I'm still not done! Yikes! I guess it's a way to weed out the weak!

I made it to Zumba on Saturday after a month hiatus. I was out of town the last three Saturdays so I was happy to get back. It was a good 750 calorie burn and I can still feel it in my hips. It's all about the hips in Zumba! After Zumba, I asked the instructor if she was teaching kickboxing anywhere (I've taken a kickboxing class from her about three years ago and she's phenomenal). She told me yes and told me where. She said she's doing a three week bridal bootcamp starting next week for brides-to-be and people in weddings. I told her I'm going to be matron of honor in my best friend's wedding in September and she said that would work. Then, she said they're doing a 10-week program after that that focuses on kickboxing, resistance bands, weights, step aerobics, medicine balls, yoga, etc. She told me to check into that.

So, today after work, I'm going to stop by and check it out. Cost is a big thing because I would pay for this out of our cash stash (for emergencies). We have quite a bit in there, but cost will be a factor. I would like a good jump start into summer and i think this could be a great thing....3 weeks plus another 10 weeks....that's 3 months of good consistent fitness and nutrition (they coach you through that, too).

We'll see what they say! Hope everyone's doing well!

30 minutes and 400 calories later...

I survived hopping back on the treadmill. For some reason, tae bo is not doing it for me right now. With warmer weather trying to stay, I'm kind of getting the craving to get back into jogging. I call it jogging because this overweight woman doesn't run. At least not yet!

So, I jogged about a total of a half of a mile and walked one and a half. 30 minutes. 2 miles. Almost 400 calories. Dog tired. I remember this process I did two years ago with husband boot camp. It took me over a month to run two miles non stop in 22 minutes...I remember because I timed it. I'd like to be able to go a mile non-stop by the time I get back outside in another month. I have a love/hate...okay mostly hate...relationship with the treadmill. I have the TV on while I run but it's just tough mentally. Hubby and I were going to do it outside, but it started raining and soon after, storming when we wanted to go so that shot down that idea.

I've been the queen of maintaining my weight since the new year. Not that it's a good one, but at least I can say I haven't gained 5 pounds. For the next couple of weeks, I'm really going to focus back on making exercise a part of my daily routine. I started out the new year really well in that department and then literally crashed and burned. I'm starting with 30 minutes and hope to build from there. I have been very conscious of what I eat, but that doesn't mean I haven't consumed things I don't need. I'm trying to include more vegetables.

An update from my gastroenterologist appointment...he wants me to increase my fiber intake, try a low GI diet and take probiotics. He's going to see me again in June and go from there. He's officially labeled me with IBS. I've said this before, but I'll say it again. I think my working out will also help my problem, at least the constipation part. So, today I tried greek yogurt. I tried the Chobani strawberry kind and added in Bran Buds for fiber. I can't do yogurt. I don't know if it's the texture, consistency, taste or all of the above, but I ate six spoonfuls and gave up on the yogurt. I ate the rest of the Bran Buds dry. It's funny because it looks like rabbit pellets!!!!

Any yogurt suggestions? I know the live cultures or whatever it is in yogurt would be good for me, but I just can't swallow the stuff!!!

Love Spring Break!

I know, I know. For those people not in education or even bigger districts, most people don't get spring breaks. I used to be one of them. When I was in school, our spring break consisted of Good Friday and the Monday after Easter. Since I work in a large 4A district now, we have a spring break. And I must say, I highly approve!!!

So, here's how my week has gone...

Monday-hair appointment....highlighted and got about two inches chopped off. Feels like a weight lifted off my chest. Then, chiropractor...always feels good to be adjusted. Grilled out with hubby and walked. Bachelor finale...glad he picked Emily, but a little worried they won't make it to the altar.

Tuesday-massage...60 minutes of pure heaven. This was the best massage I've ever had. Then, I proceeded to clean from 11 AM to 6 PM. I mean massive clean. I had sweat literally pouring down my face. Bedroom-dusted furniture in there that probably hadn't been dusted since the last decade, put all clothes where they belong (can be a problem for us as our closets are coat closet size), vacuumed big time, washed curtains (hadn't been done since I moved in about 6 years ago). Living room-vacuumed large rug and sucked up kitty hair (wood floors are notorious for that), dusted all furniture, swiffered wood floor. Kitchen-did dishes, swept up floor, washed curtains, cleared off kitchen table (kitchen's too small to even use table to eat so it's a paper collector). Vacuumed stairs to basement. Vacuumed out hubby's car (he's a pig). Washed all throw blankets and pillows and three other loads of laundry. Had the windows open too. Was so proud of what I accomplished and was physically exhausted. But I'm guessing I burned a good 500 calories of more in those 7 hours.

Wednesday (today)-Worked out to my good 'ole Tae Bo. Burned me some 501 calories. Would have done more but have to get cleaned up to go to my gastroenterologist appointment. For those who haven't been following, I've been pretty much diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome. I either can't go or can't stop going and anywhere in between. I have no consistency and it sucks. He had me do tests to rule out bacteria in bowel, fructose intolerance, lactose intolerance, and celiac disease. All those were negative which I'm thankful for, but doesn't help the situation. I've played around with fiber intake and I haven't found a happy medium. I'm either in the bathroom or I feel like a bloated whale. So, we'll see what he says.

Spring breaks are a good refresher for me. I know that the winter doldrums are behind me and spring is close by. The temps are warming are people just seem in a better mood. Now, to work on making me healthier. It's a work in progress. More on that later...

Life is full of excuses.

I'm sick.
I'm tired.
I'm busy.
I'm lazy.
I don't want to.
I have other things to do.

Etc., etc., etc.

So, last week, I was very sick. Monday night, Tuesday and Wednesday entailed me either laying on the couch or sleeping in bed. Running a high temp was brutal as were the aches and extreme exhaustion. I started feeling better Thursday and had late night conferences. Then, Friday I kind of felt like crap again. Saturday was the first day I felt normal, but I told myself I don't want to push it. Excuse #1.

Sunday, we traveled an hour and a half to my niece's 6th birthday party. We left at 11 and got back around 6. It's been a long day. Excuse #2.

Monday, I seriously did have a migraine and pretty much slept from 4-9 PM and then went to bed to avoid it getting any worse.

Tuesday, late night conferences and didn't want to get up early. Excuse #3.

Wednesday, had late night conferences the night before and grad class from 6-9 PM. Don't have time. Excuse #4.

Today. What's my excuse? I don't have one.

I am beginning my spring break. For the next 10 days, I don't have to worry about work or grad class (yay for my college and school I work at for having the same spring break). There are no excuses.

"But I want to enjoy my break."

I will. Just because I use an hour or so to workout doesn't mean I can't enjoy the rest of the day. That's a poor excuse if I've ever heard one.

One bonus to being sick and a small kudos to me....I lost three pounds from not really eating for two days last week and I have actually been able to keep it off. Go me.

What's your excuse? Forget it.

Influenza Strikes

So, just as I get my motivation a rolling, influenza strikes. Last night, my entire body ached and my temp went from 97 to 101 in two hours. As of right now, I'm running a slight fever but have zero energy. No work and no workouts for this girl. I've alternated from the couch to the bed and I have a feeling that will continue.