3 Weeks Down, A Million to Go

Three weeks have elapsed since I began boot camp. I can honestly say I now look forward to class and going, sweating, hurting, and counting the minutes til it's over. We do some of the most creative exercises that really keep it interesting and keep my body guessing after each workout.

I've run up half-mile hills 5 times and back down. I've done more squats than I have my entire life combined. I'm doing push-ups -- couldn't do one in the beginning. (I know...pathetic, huh?)! I'm jump-roping and lunging and tugging and pulling. I'm running. Again. Like I used to. And sweating. And starting to feel like my old self again. The athlete inside is slowly re-emerging. I see her in the mirror some days, just waiting to put on the running shoes and see how far we can push mind over matter. I love a competition...even with myself.

I haven't been brave enough to weigh myself, but will at the end of the 6 week time period as we take measurements again then. I do know that accountability is so huge in trying to lose weight and work out. Whenever I had a running plan with a goal at the end, I stuck to it. Whenever I journal my food, I eat a lot better. Accountability. Huge.

So aside from sore muscles, ingrown toenails, and managing a more hectic schedule than I had before...I'm happier. I'm stronger. Inside and out. And it feels good.

And then I remember...it's never over. Not in 3 weeks, not ever. Eventually, even if you stop, you have to begin again. I hope I put a lot of time inbetween stopping this time. Since I can't get pregnant and use babies as an excuse, I just have to stick with it. (What? You mean you never thought of getting pregnant as a way to eat anything you want, as much as you want? Silly YOU!)

If not, there's always boot camp to remind me that having a body, even my body, is great!

Worship Service

Well, I've kept my mouth closed for as long as I can. Who knew this was a day of worship? The inauguration of President Barack Obama. (If you think this is going to offend, you should probably STOP reading now).

Here's the thing. I get this is a historic day having an African American elected as our President. I get it. I mean, I'm not black, so I get it as much as a Caucasian can, right? I also feel every President's inauguration is historic. But again, I get it. Having said that, when does the worshipping stop???

I mean, the man hasn't DONE anything yet except smile (...great smile), give a speech and eat lunch and attend a few dances! He ate lunch and Ted Kennedy collapsed. Did he order the secret service (all 30,000 of them) to call 911? Are we in awe of his quick thinking? And can we just tell Oprah to back off and stop hitting on the poor man. She had her chance to be a cheerleader and that was back in high school, lady. C'mon...he's married after all. As an American, I'm so proud to say that 90% of Hollywood's latest and greatest were there representing the free and the brave. (Or was that just a "24" episode???).

Brother, I'm just a little put off -- just by creating the idea of hope this man seems to have inspired -- are we that desperate? Okay, we are. But are we so blind that we don't think people need to earn their stripes? I'm willing to give Barry a chance, here. But I'm not giving him a merit badge until he's earned it. Maybe that's just the ole Brownie Troop Leader in me. Principles!

If the stock market is any indicator, things are going to get even bumpier, so buckle up, and enjoy the ride. And Mr. President, time to get to work living up to all those campaign promises you made.

...Under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. (Democracy...not socialism).

Sassy Water

Okay. So let me first say I hope I'm more sassy by the end of my 4-day cleanse that we are on as part of our boot camp. Part of the meal plan for this "cleanse" is to drink 1 glass of "Sassy Water" with every meal. (P.S. With the diet I've been on, I'm certain I've already cleansed in a big way!!! This should be frightening).

What, you ask, is sassy water? I did, too! Are you ready:

8 liters of water, 12 mint leaves, 1 med cucumber (peeled and thinly sliced), 1 lemon (thinly sliced), and 1 teaspon fresh grated ginger. Chill overnight before drinking.

This morning, as I began to embark on the cleanse, I was already dreading the first sip of my sassy water. All boot campers received an email from the director instructing us to think of a spa day as we drank our water and focus on something positive, as we are strong women.

The "sassy" part of me had a quick, knee-jerk response. My positive thought was I'll be happy if I don't purge after the first sip. So here goes. Down the hatch.

You know what. You should make some. It's surprisingly refreshing and good. I'd make it again just to have in the fridge cuz I like the taste so much.

And as I listen to my daughter vacuum, that is as close to spa day as I'm gonna get...help with the daily chores!!! I'm already looking forward to my second glass. Cheers!

The Mundane Life

I actually don't have much to say except my husband is so deaf that he has to listen to the tv at intolerable levels. American Idol is boring. My piano needs to be tuned but it's still too soon. My teeth cleaning has to be coming up and I haven't done near enough flossing and will have to come up with yet another clever excuse to postpone it. The girls still go to soccer practices and games that run our lives and certainly my daily schedule. My thighs are still sore from boot camp (that's a good thing)...and I still have more than one chin...for now. The christmas light people FINALLY came and took down the little buggers, taking us OFF the white trash list in the neighborhood. I just drove by one house that still had them TURNED ON this evening. I'm about to send them an anonymous "friendly" reminder that Santa is in deep hibernation and, at this point, is annoyed by the glaring Christmas lights that remain on their gutters. Besides they don't match. I've read a couple books which makes me proud -- like I've accomplished something huge. We went on vacation. AND...I've worked out HARDER than I ever have in my life 5 days a week (well for 2 weeks). Whatever...it's gotta be a record somewhere, right? My daughter scored a mind-boggling goal this weekend. It was like a cannon coming off her foot -- just to impress the manager of the entire soccer club she plays for who just happened to be guest coaching. Well, it worked. That was her good luck. Mine is that she is my daughter.

But as for me, it's still just the simple life of routine tasks, and yet a good one, albeit a little mundane to write about. Today I stayed in my pj's with Hayden until 2 pm til it was time to get Lindsay. I kept him home for the sniffles (or complete selfishness for some time alone with my son), which kept me home. Needless to say, I needed it more than I realized. For someone who lives in her car, I relished the laziness of the day and enjoyed the musicality of my son's voice periodically tickling my ears throughout the morning. I love that I have such a happy, joyful child. In essence, most days, I'm thoroughly satisfied with my life, my children, and my husband.

So maybe mundane isn't the right word.

I know.

Lucky.

911

Somebody, help, call 911. I can't get up. Or at least won't be able to by tomorrow. I have no doubt.

After last night's initiation of squats, sit downs, roll-ups, lunges, chest presses, planks, and a bunch of other stuff I can't remember, I was feeling my quads big time just kneeling, folding laundry today. Tonight we ran, well I did (everyone else "power walked" and chatted and laughed) for 45 minutes, which for me equaled 4.3 miles. It's easily been a year since I pulled 4 miles out of a hat. I was pushing for 3. But once your in pain, you're just in pain. Grin and bear it. And boy, it was chilly out. Not 3 feet of snow chilly, but breezy and cool and I was definitely under-dressed for the occasion with one light windbreaker and a running tank top. (Yes, duh, I had pants on!)

To add insult to injury, at the end we had to do 3 sets of 12 push-ups, step ups, and squats. 3 sets! At the end we were stretching and one lady said: "I have a cramp from stretching in my belly." Funny thing was, I was having the same cramp, just feeling our hidden muscles in a whole new way. Oh man, less than 24 hours til tomorrow's beating.

Well, they don't call it Boot Camp for nothing. I definitely have a Boot somewhere in my camp, right where I needed it! Attention, hut!

Called in the Big Dogs

...for help, that is. Having hit an all time low (or high, as the case happens to be...not surprising after Disneyland grub)...boot camp begins...today. Yup. Weighed, measured. Desperate times, desperate measures. Actually, I am SUPER excited. I'm excited to be fit again. I've gotten lazy this year. Too many soccer games and not enough running up and down the field and too much running to the snack bar! It's about to change. The gal in charge mentioned that we probably won't be able to sit down on the toilet by the end of the week becuz we'll be too sore to get there. (That should be pretty?!) But it's a physical pain I'm inviting at this point. I have a closet of clothes beckoning to me...wear me, please! Not the shopping mall, my closet! I can't wait to get reacquainted with some of my cute clothes and slimmer jeans. I believe I get re-measured in 3 weeks. We shall see. Maybe it's every week? I can't remember. But it's time to take the bull by the horns...and not eat it.

Another new year...another resolution. I'll keep you posted. It's my way of publicly hanging myself out to dry. A little humiliation goes a long way in my book!

Happy New Year!

Because Life is Short

(Mallory is acting "Grumpy", Lindsay is "Dopey" and Hayden is, as usual, firing a weapon.


All eyes for Goofy's Kitchen!


Dale can't get enough of Lindsay hair.

Making nice with Master Chef Goofy.

Enjoying a quiet moment before we go shooting into the air at 145 mph on the Maliboomer.

3D ready for the new Toy Story ride...such a "Blast"!

We're ready for the ride!

My cute boys.

The castle is awesome at Christmastime, especially at night.

Hayden's happy as he's finally 41 inches tall -- old enough to ride most of the rides! He's a thrillseeker, this one!

Now...who says the Erl's aren't spontaneous!