one week down

Finished one week of my four days, 45 minutes of work-outs and I feel GREAT. Back to jogging once again! I've also stuck with the Jenny Craig plan but with some of my own little changes. I went down to the 1200 calorie meal (i was on the 1500) and I decided it was not crucial for me to have one of their meals at EVERY meal. That is just way too much processed food for me. I use their food for 2 meals and then fix my own 3rd meal. I will say if you're needing a jump start this gal Jenny knows what she's talking about. Looking forward to monday to see if I've lost anything.

Now, onto something much more important than the size of my waist, thighs, and rump. Did you see the Hope for Haiti Now program last night? It was fantastic! All the stars came out for a wonderful cause. The outpouring of care, love, and donations was amazing. As I was watching I thought to myself that it would be so awesome (there is no better word I could think of) if we all felt this way ALL the time. Yes, we need to help these people in their time of need and we truly want to help. These people need food, water, and medical care and I'm proud that our country is rallying together to get it to them. I couldn't help but wonder what it would be like if we kept this feeling in our heart and let it lead our minds when making important decisions for our own country and fellow citizens. Just a thought...

Win a Prize

Ugh - it was measurement day today. Talk about a real downer it can be. I've worked so hard this past week on watching what I eat and working-out each day. I know it's going to take more than a week, but I'm ready to be back to my old size 2 self (like yesterday). I know that J. Crew is going to be coming out with some cute clothes soon and I do LOVE spring fashions.

I'm trying to get ready for my brother's wedding at the end of February. I have my eye on a lovely BCBG black strapless dress. I picture myself looking stylish, confident, and downright elegant while toasting him and his beautiful bride. The wedding is in Panama - bring on the hot weather. Wooo-Hoooo!

I'm the kind of gal who loves incentives. Aaaah, a prize to keep me going. This worked in the past. I once wanted to lose 10 pounds. I made a deal with my then boyfriend that if I worked out 4 days a week, 45 minutes, for a least 4 months I would win a trip to Paris. He was not a huge fan of this, but I begged for him to agree. I needed a reward at the end of the tunnel. Of course I stayed on track and looked fabu when I landed in gay Paris. I have to say I looked and felt more than fantastic when he proposed at the Sacre Couer!

Okay, I won't be negotiating any trips abroad anytime soon with the current economy, but I can look forward to the 'little' luxuries that I try to find along the way. I just love a spray tan - YES I DO! Here's my next game I shall play. I will go back to my old 4 day, 45 minute routine (these must be hard-core, result-producing work-outs) for 3 weeks. At the end of those 3 weeks (friday, feb 5th) I will treat myself to a little color. Spray booth here I come again, old friend!

I'll have to come up with a list of some other fun 'prizes' (manis, pedis, facial, etc) If you read this and if you care to send along some other suggestions I would love to hear them.

You may have noticed that it is Friday night and it does happen to be 8:00. What in the world is this lovely lady blogging away for when she could be out on the town celebrating with friends? Well, I had a very important date night with my 2 year old, O. this evening. Nothing could be better than pizza (2 slices) and Finding Nemo with a great guy!

I called Jenny

I did it - I called on her. I kept hearing Valerie ask me if I had called Jenny so I decided to give it a go. Yes, it seems quite expensive, but then again so are all the meals and cocktails I have when going out.

Today was my first day and I have to say it was very easy and tasty. I knew the meals were good because I would always steal my aunt's meals when she was visiting. It seemed as if I was always eating throughout the day, which of course, kept me feeling full (just like they said it would).

Today's menu was lovely except for the dinner which was spaghetti and meatballs (not bad, just not my fav). Lunch was a delish turkey burger. My evening snack was just divine - 2 cinnamon twists. And, I got to eat a lot more than that today!

Now, I don't want to be a slave to the food. I enjoy cooking and eating but I just need this jumpstart to get me going again. We'll see if it works...

Tuesday night is Biggest Loser - Hooray! I do love this show.

I used to love Sunday

Sundays used to be so fabulous. C and I would wake up, make breakfast, read the NY Times (Sunday Style for me), and watch Meet the Press and/or the Food Network. Take a walk or enjoy the day in the yard (we used to rent a house on someone's estate) I'd nap in the early afternoon and wake up to get started on a great sunday night dinner. Aaah, those were the days.

Sun. Jan 10th - Wake up at 6 to feed B. O up at 7:30. Get those two ready to head out to Anthony's for what can be a typical, greasy breakfast but has now changed to egg white omelet and whole wheat toast. Come home, change babies, play with Thomas the train, look for real estate online, head to the gym for Pump (O and B in tow for the childcare), head home for lunch, naps, playtime, dinner, movie time, feedings, prayers, and bedtime. Throw in quite a few poops, spit-ups, and meltdowns.

My hat goes off to all those who are single parents - you deserve a gold medal. C comes home on Friday and I'm dying to see him. I've always known he's a huge help, but now I REALLY know just how wonderfully helpful he is each day. Yes, I'm one spoiled wife and mama. My hubby does the laundry and cleans the kitchen, and when he cooks he's a culinary genius. He does the ironing and vacuums! Jealous yet?? Have I ever mentioned how hot he is on top of everything else?!

This past week was a busy one in the 'getting back to sexy' department. I tackled Body Pump, Pilates, harder cardio workouts, and sessions with Teke and Heather at SpaFit. One of my main inspirations is back on t.v once again. I just LOVE the Biggest Loser! I look forward to the end of each show when you see how the cast-off member has changed their life once they got home. I find myself saying, "well, if they can do it..." Tuesday nights are great kick-offs to Wednesday workouts.

Sunday night is coming to an end. O got out of his bath tonight, got bundled up in a big fluffy towel, and we were hugging and looking at ourselves in the mirror. He looked right at my reflection and said, "i love you, mommy". We've watched Mary Poppins - he thinks she's pretty. B is about to take his last bottle. He'll fall asleep before 10 and wake up at around 6ish (another one of my blessings)

I used to love Sundays, and I love them even more now!!

I ventured back to body pump today. This used to be my favorite class when I lived in the heavenly city of cville. I'm praying it does for me now what it did for me then - give me great arms and abs. This go 'round I would love for it to give me pretty nice legs, too.

I squatted, lunged, curled, and crunched my way through the class. I'm sure it's starting to work its charm already seeing as how I can barely sit. Shoo, my thighs are screaming! I like to tell myself that my muscles are saying, "Hey Girl, thanks for inviting us back to the party". I'm going to keep telling myself this until they start to take shape once again. Please Lord, let chic riding boots over leggings be in style in next fall so that I may participate, too.

It's a good thing I had a great workout today, because this evening both O and B were handfuls. I almost thought I was going to lose my mind until O grabbed me rather hard by the cheeks and planted one on me telling me "i wug you, mommy", and B feel sound asleep all snuggled up with me on the sofa.

C starts his new job tomorrow. He's up in NY and I'm still in VA. We are all really excited for him, miss him madly, and can't wait to see him in a couple of weeks. Until then I'm going to keep squatting, lunging, curling, and crunching!

Trying to lose the weight, but not my mind!

Losing the baby weight was my New Year's Resolution last year (Jan 1 2009). I had given birth to O. in Nov. of 2008 and just couldn't seem to shed those pounds. I resolved to 'get my sexy back'! My husband, C, was thrilled. He suggested I begin with new panties - get rid of the post pregnancy granny panties. Good idea! I also started listening to the teenybopper radio station so that I was up on all the latest, hot songs. One must stay current! And, of course, I started working out - HARD! This was not too awfully difficult as I like to be active and work out. I just needed to set a schedule and give it priority in my life once again. Done!

I started going to the local YMCA (good daycare for O) and I went twice a week to a trainer. Teke at SpaFit has been a huge help and I started seeing results.

I started to feel fantastic again - almost fabulous and even a bit sexy. I did it! I was getting my sexy back. This plan was actually working. It actually worked so well that low and behold I got pregnant again - SURPRISE!

B was born in Oct 2009

So, here we are, January 2010 and we need to get back on track. I am armed with various health/fitness and fashion magazines, the YMCA bodypump and pilates schedule, Teke at SpaFit, and supportive friends and family. Here we go...