Credit Is Due

You know the saying, give credit when it’s due.  Well this morning I put some droppers of the Vanilla Stevia that NuNaturals sent me into my oats and coffee and HOLY YUM!!!!!  If you are like me and think that stevia leaves an aftertaste give theirs a whirl.  I was seriously afraid to try it but man NO aftertaste I promise!

 

I had such a great weekend.  The weather was beautiful and Mike and I loved every minute of it.  I had a great cardio session yesterday followed buy this yummy looking snack.  Sure it’s not what I would like to have after a workout but it’s what was on my look good in a bikini plan.

I wish I would have brought my camera to the car show Mike and I went to.  We drove the ’81 Corvette down there.  It’s not really a show but a place where people bring their old cars to show off.  I use to go with my family all the time when I was little.  It brings back so many memories being there…now with our own classic car.  He watched all the cars and I people watched

 

Yesterday we officially booked our cruise!  The more the merrier so book yours now too   Princess Cruise Lines- Western Caribbean April 3~10, Crown Princess Ship.  This will be our 3rd time on this ship and we have the same cabin

What are you guys doing in there?

I am glad to say that my energy levels and stamina are back.  I did a Cathe step workout also yesterday and passed with flying colors.  I can’t believe how dead I was Monday.  At least it’s gone.  Afterwards I had a cookie and milk…wha??  Okay not your typical cookie but to me it’s a cookie

Cookie and milk...yes please!

Today Mike and I are taking Boomer hiking in the park.  She loves it!  I have my bis and tris to work later also.  Oh and someone is out of food and it’s not Mike or I.  A trip to the “puppy store” is in the works.

 

Another One

I have an interview again today.  Same place as here http://redhead75.wordpress.com/2009/07/16/tj-virgin/ only on the southside!  The lady who interviewed me up north liked me and referred me to the place down here.  I just got the sorry we found someone else letter when I got back from vacation but I wasn’t upset.  So now Mike and I have some big decisions.  Do we move, stay down here?  Oh what to do.  Everything is keeping us from moving and we’re not going to walk away from the house.  So i’ve got to put on “the dress” and head out and drive 5 minutes up the road LOL!  Right by the mall EEK!

 

I was going to take a rest day today but ended up doing my back workout anyway.  I figured i’d rather have a day off on the weekend   Eating plan is going great although I have some stomach problems but that is normal.  I’ve narrowed it down to my beloved Met-rx shake   So I have 4 more packets left and then I won’t use them anymore.  Closer towards comp those yummies are taken out anyway. 

 

Last night was an emotional roller coaster.  I felt fat.  I had to actually put normal people clothes on to go to the mall and I hated it.  I actually ended up wearing a baggy t-shirt and nike shorts.  My friend doesn’t care and we had fun regardless.  We tried on clothes and I put on a small top and a size 4 skirt and was drowning in the outfit.  I just really wish I could see what others see.  I did well and didn’t buy anything!  Until I got home and spent $88 on bodybuilding.com

 

On a happier note…sort of.  We are going to go on a cruise again April 3rd.  The stupid part of my mind is like oh great, there goes any chance of competing early in the year.  I’ve really got to get a grip and life people   Nah, i’m enjoying this right now so i’ll live it up.  Plus just the fact of NOT knowing what’s ahead of me is driving me bonkers.  I’m a scheduler, everything is planned and scheduled and if not…I go psycho!!!!!!!

 

Mind Over Matter

I’d be lying if I said all is honky dory in ape town.  I’ve been so exhausted and yesterday during cardio my HR was REALLY low despite trying to get it higher.  It was odd.  I did meet a friend at Starbucks and then we went trail walking.  That hour flew by.  She had more to say than Boomer usually does.  Again even during that walk my HR was around 109 and typically it would be 130~145.  Just an odd day.  This morning I didn’t wear my HR because I didn’t want to get PO’d.  I did have a better cardio session.

 

Over the summer my carb intake was around 150g~200g and I had amazing energy.  I was considering never competing again because I loved the way I was eating.  All the fruit, PB and other carbs.  That for me got old.  I needed a challenge again.  Right now I still get oatmeal and i’m eating veggies for carbs.  I love being this strict…I know it’s not for everyone.  I’m feeling better body wise after being on this diet for a week.  Now my energy and mind are out the window but who needs that?  As long as I look good in a bikini…i kid i kid. 

 

I had to drive all over town to find some green beans.  I finally did though.  Come on, this is Indiana and there are farms on every street corner.

It was worth it!

Here is a picture of my HAWT hubby.  When he comes in from a run he always asks if he can give me a hug…um no thanks.  Actually I normally say yes out of habit and then when I look i’m like EW!!!  Mike is running a marathon Oct 17th.  He is hoping to qualify for the Boston and then he wants to run that.  It’s on his bucket list along with a Porsche 911 Turbo.  The Boston will get crossed off that list  

What's for dessert? Ice cream?

Tonight i’m meeting my friend Louisa at JCPenney’s.  I will NOT buy anything.  It’s my mission.  I leave you with the dog who has the most miserable life in the world.  She never gets to go on walks or rides in the car, she has to eat out of the trash and has never been to the vet for the littlest things to make sure she’s okay.  Dog toys are not allowed and treats are never bought either.

Whoa is me...awful life I have.

 

Dance Your Ass Off!

Dance Your Ass Off

Is anyone else obsessed with this show?  I love it!  I can’t believe the way some of those girls can move there bods!  As I was huffing and puffing trying to do my workout I thought of them.

 

What is your take on this billboard?  I think it is hilarious myself.  I am not vegetarian and when I look at it, my interpretation is different than what people are causing an uproar about.

 

Tonight we’re having a cookout at mom’s!  I’m getting out of the house WOO!  I’ll be bring my food with me of course   Someday I SWEAR i’ll live like a normal human being.

 

Cardio this morning was pathetic.  I either do have something or the lack of carbs is taking its toll already.  My body will get use to it again….I was spoiled this summer.  Cream of Wheat, Bread, Fruit, and PB to think I actually got sick of eating that stuff LOL!

 

Run Down

This was how I felt all weekend.  It must be the competition diet?  Saturday was alright and I took a rest day.  We went house shopping.  I love looking at other peoples houses   I always open the pantry too and look inside..yes i’ll admit it.  The cities we’re looking at are much different then where I live now.  Sure we have Target, Walmart and Kroger but up there they have Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and other fresh market stores.  You can tell “healthy” living cities and I would LOVE to be a part of one.  The people look different up there I swear.  Much healthier than down here.  All I get to look at everyday are the people who barely fit in there cars stuffing McD’s down there faces…seriously. 

 

My body looks much better after starting my diet.  I actually had more energy on Friday than i’ve had in a few weeks it was great!  I think my body is trying to get sick and i’m not letting it.  That is what wonderful glutamine is for…it’s a miracle cure.

 

I had a couple of job interviews last week but nothing that I accepted or anything.  I wish I was a youngster starting out looking for a job again.  Now i’m someone who worked the same place for 12 years and was set in her ways.  I did get a call from a lady who use to work with me and asked me to come and help her because she didn’t know how to do any of my stuff LOL!  I miss her   I miss all my old coworkers.  Oh well, i’ll find something but i’m in no hurry to make a stupid rushing decision.

 

Time for cardio!

 

What do you do when you’re feeling like you may be getting sick?  I up my dosage of glutamine and drink apple cidar vinegar!  I havent’ been really sick in over 2 years!

 

Champ Of Cheap!

Today was a great day.  I actually got out of the house and went to see my gpa’s grave.  The tombstone was just put on it and it’s really nice.  Then Boomer and I walked around the quiet peaceful graveyard.  We love walking in there.

Miss him

I needed to get some crack green beans so I ventured to Kroger.  Man am I the super shopper or what?  How much do you think I spent for the loot below?  $50, $60, or $70?

I bought all this for $39!  Would have been 34 but I had to have the magazine   Just 1 package of orange roughy is $15 but was on sale for $5 WOO!

 

Then I went to Kohl’s.  I had a $10 thing they sent me in the mail so it’s basically a $10 bill and I needed to spend it.  Their point for sending it out i’m sure is to lure you into spending alot.  I could of because I love that store but I knew Mike needed a new lunch box.  I didn’t NEED the water container but it was $16.99 and it was on sale for $6.  So I ended up spending $7.25 for both!

Then to make the day better the UPS man came!  I was so exicted to try NuNaturals Stevia.  I can’t stand stevia it leaves a nasty aftertaste but I PROMISE you not this one!  I love it!  Thanks Ron for sending me all this product to try.

So many things to try.  I did put a drop of the cocoa extract on my tongue and YUM!

 

Lick It Up, Lick It Up

Oh yeah  I did!  Can’t waste this.

Don't cry over spilled oats

I got my new plan and i’m ready to kick it hardcore!  It’s very doable and these next 12 weeks will fly by.  Many of you are intrigued about what this diet will be.  I can’t give full details since i’m working with a trainer but it’s something like this:

1. eggs and oats
2. protein and veggies
3. protein and veggies
4. pwo shake
5. protein and veggies
6. whey shake

Love it!  I’ll be on this diet until my weight stalls and then he’ll switch things up.  It would be nice if I could say this would be my diet for the next 12 weeks but we’re learning my body is really stubborn.  I don’t have these awesome genetics they make me retain muscle while losing fat.  Plus when I lose fat i’m left with an oddly proportioned body.  My waist gets really small while my hips still hold fat.  I’ll only get getting better those as I continue training and learning what my body does.

 

Now i’m off to my mom’s garden to steal get tomatoes!  She’s at work so she’ll never know…not that she cares .

 

Stupid Indiana

What up?  Not much here…just being jobless.  I really need to LOOK for a job.  First it was i’ll wait until after vacation, now it’s i’ll wait until after my show in November   I went and met with another jobless friend at Starbucks this morning.  I took my Amazing Grass shaker with a bit of almond milk and stevia in it to put in my grande cafe americano.  Did I mention my shaker had Pina Colada in it during vacation?  Yes it did

 

So I got these in the mail a few weeks ago and guess what?  Not a store in site!  Not that I can use them until after my comp anyway but still.  I’m sitting here drinking the last of my free Kombuchas’s I got and this will be the last one of those for the next 12 weeks too…sob sob.  I’m in LOVE with them.  Maybe 1 a week won’t hurt?  It’s better than vodka right?

Chobani Yogurt...wouldn't know if it's any good?

Last night I made Mike a wonderful looking dessert.  I took a fudge brownie vitatop and microwaved it for 15 seconds.  Then I put a little bit of Edy’s chocolate ice cream on it topped with a few semi sweet chocolate nibs.  Man, it looked good.  When i’m “in the zone” nothing phases me.  Okay, maybe pumpkin seeds and other trail mixes but that’s why they don’t stay in the house anymore.

It's rough being me

 

Back To The Grind

Vacation is now officially over   Mike had to go back to work today.  Not only did he go back but it’s a new office and it’s 45 mins away counting on no back ups.  We went there for an open house yesterday.  I resisted the cake, cookies and brownies that were calling my name.  He had a brownie and cookie.  Then he wanted ice cream!  Man, I wish I had his metabolism.  I would still eat healthy of course but instead of ounces and cups I would be eating lbs and quarts

 

I’m doing good with my no’s list so far.  I forgot to write no raw pumpkin seeds and now that the bag is finished I can do this too.  I am going to keep chia seeds because I think they help me in the bathroom area.  Normally during a prep I don’t keep things in the house that I really want.  Right now there are Blue Chips and chocolate squares   My mind is set though so there will be no digging into that stuff.

 

I’m trying to decide on a bikini to wear for the show.  There are SO many options and cute ones out there.  I’ve got in narrowed down though I think.  I’ve been checking out www.musculardevelopment.com to see what the girls have been wearing.  There is such a variety and all the girls physiques are so different.  I can’t wait to be leaner and now that i’m focused it will happen. 

 

I had a great 45 min cardio session this morning and Boomer and I went for a walk as well.  I also walked to the grocery store and walking back was a workout.  I didn’t plan on buying as much as I did.  When I left I had put some green beans in the oven.  I don’t know if it was Becca or Genie that I learned this from but whoever it was ROCKS!  You don’t have to boil them which takes a step out of the way I use to make them.  Just spray on some Pam, seasoning if you want, bake @ 425 for 30 mins and there done.  Better than french fries and even the hubs enjoyed them.

 

Question:  I need new cookware.  Mine is 10 years old and starting to show it.  I thought about getting Rachael Ray’s stuff because, well, it is orange and affordable.  What kind do you have or recommend.

 

13 weeks to go!

• NO blue chips…not even
  NO greek yogurt, I don’t care that it’s “healthy”
  NO protein bars just because you got them free
  NO extra TBSP of PB just because it’s on the meal plan from that day
  NO Country Bob’s all purpose sauce
  NO more waiting 5 hrs between meals
  NO more 7 reps, if it’s light enough go heavier
  REMEMBER to take your flax oil!
• No more sweet cacao nibs (boohoohoo)
• No Mary’s Gone Crackers…gone is the key word

 

I was thinking I had 12 weeks so this is better.  I will be competing in the Kentucky Muscle bikini division.  This is exciting and new for me!  Tony is working up a new meal plan  and once I get it i’ll be 100% following that thing so I can get some chub off.  Vacation eating set me back a bit but I know it’ll go away fast.  Thanks for you input and help Becca!

——————————————————————————————–

The foggy look is from air conditioner to HOT outside

I promise I won’t bore you with more vacation pics

My attempt at staying healthy on vacation

 

Okay really, no more.

 

This morning I got up and ate breakfast, then took Boomer for a nice walk.  She is worn out!  I think i’ll go get on the treadmill now and get some of this bloat off.  I have bis/tris and abs to work later.  Mike is going to a friends so i’ll have all the time in the world to get it done.  Tomorrow we are going hiking in Brown County!  It’s the state park here and it’s beautiful and the only place that has hills LOL!

 

More Vacation Ramble and My Latest Score

While we were in Florida we hit up Shipwreck Island.  It’s a water park and we had a great time!

Hoosiers at the beach = CORNHOLE!  Just for you Martha

Yes he got the IU symbols painted on them

 For our 10th anniversary Amanda and Zack got us a dinner cruise   It was nice and relaxing and a great way to celebrate!

Lady Anderson

 Mike and I did some running around this place.  Man, you talk about a GREAT workout!  My avg HR was 158 and my max was 195!!  My face looked like a tomato afterwards.  This was the first time that Mike and I have ever ran together.  I usually don’t run for a long period of time I do walks and sprints so this was fun! 

SCORE

 

 

 

This baby was only $4.45

 

 

 

Back and Bloated

Boomer knew the minute we got out the suitcases.  She was sad on the way to Grandpa’s.

We had a wonderful time in Alabama and Florida.    I am a water and sodium logged mess though.  I know it will pass so i’m not worried.  While we were there we did cardio everyday and it was so much fun!  I have never sweated like that before.  It was HOT!

We stayed in a FEMA trailer while in Alabama.  Man, those things are nice.  Of course we could have stayed in Zack and Amanda’s house but this was like having our own hotel room.

Our condo in Florida was the shiz!  I ended up in the ocean first and then the pool.  My nose is already peeling although I don’t think I got that much sun.  I was wearing 50 spf LOL!

I didn’t get to read the comments from all of you I drove by until I got home   Maybe next time   I did yell hi to Jodi though because I know where she lives.

We’re doing laundry and crap tonight.  I hate coming back, it’s even more work!

I’m now almost 12 weeks out from Kentucky Muslce.  I’m sure the yummy food I ate while I was down there didn’t help out my progress any   I had THE best red velvet cake EVER!  I am normally a chocolate person but dang this was good cake.  Amanda’s mom is AWESOME and needs to enter a cake off challenge is all i’m saying.  Amanda is a wonderful cook herself.  She made homemade BBQ sauce and it was the bomb!  I saw her put a whole stick of butter in it but hey I was in the deep south on vacation.  We had fresh red snapper one night and it was the best fish in the world.  She made homemade tarter sauce and I had a mental block about eating it but gave in.  I didn’t think twice about the cake I just dove into that.  Okay, i’ll post some more pics tomorrow.  I need to watch Big Brother tonight!

 

we made it 2 the beach! hmmm….pool or ocean i cant decide?

 

sweet home alabama….didn’t eat the toast

 

This one is my fave…mmmmm…we’re on our way, almost on kentucky! guava goddess in my belly.

 

~~Busy Bee~~

Happy Birthday Dad!! 

 

Man, is getting ready to go on vacation hard work or what?  I have to have the house spotless because we’ve been trying to sell it and they may show it while we are gone.  Then I had to have some road trips snacks   I’m making baggies of PB Puffins, TJ’s PB filled pretzels, pumpkin seeds, cocoa almonds, and cacao nibs hee hee.  Mike’s bag has real trail mix and salty pumpkin seeds in his.  I will admit my hand has been in the real trail mix bag today…bad bad April.  I was strong this weekend but now my mind is going into vacation mode.  Today is my low carb day though so luckily i’m not having cravings yet.  I’m worried about exercising on vacation.  I’m not worried about cardio but I won’t have my smith machine or any other heavy weights in Alabama.  The condo we’re staying in has a workout room so i’ll have to check it out.  I know I should not worry about it but I do.

 

I’m also packing my oats and protein powder and that will be breakfast all week   I think i’ll take some Kashi Go Lean too since I have an unopened box that I need to use up.  Almond milk, Amazing Grass and gluatime are coming along for the trip as well.    They will go along nicely with all the BBQ and sweet potato pie i’ll be eating

 

Okay, now I have to get back to packing.  I suck at it.  I pack my whole wardrobe and I swear I end up wearing the same thing just about everyday.  So far today i’ve done 70 mins of cardio and I have to squeeze in shoulders and 25 mins more…zoooom.

 

29 Again For The 6th Year

Yesterday was a great day   I got a pedicure FINALLY!  What color do you think I got??

 

I went and had lunch with these lovely girls.  My nieces, I can’t believe Mike’s sister is a year older than me and has 3 kids this age.

Sara(9), Stephanie(14), and Chelsea(16)

I had the greek salad w/ chicken of course and I won’t bore you with a picture because you’ve seen it before.  I tend to find my “safe” foods and stick with them.  I did bring my pitas home though so I could make a pizza with them!

 

Workouts for the day included Em’s 45 min Shredmill workout, back, abs and another 34 mins on the treadmill.  All to prep for my ice cream cake WOO!

Cute

I got lots moola and a cute little Longaberger dish from my Aunt.  I used it this morning.

After eating just a tiny piece of cake I felt a sugar rush and it was awful.  My face literally started to swell and turned red.  Then the legs, knees, and ankles.  Man, it really sucks when you’re body isn’t use to sweets.  I got home and drank a TON of water though and it started feeling better. 

 

Then I made my pizza with my pitas!  Mmmm….is was SO good and better than any franchise pizza that’s for sure.

tuna, tomato, onion, oregano, and a bit of goat cheese

Oh yeah, I can’t wait…..

The finishing touch...needed some green

Now after looking at that work of art i’ll leave you with my nasty feet.    I’m gonna have to have surgery on them some day…i’m prolonging it.

ORANGE!

When I walked through the door I told Mike to guess what color I got…guess i’m predictable because he guessed right