This much fun should be illegal!

Just winding down after a wonderful weekend.  I am so truly blessed to have the wonderful people in my life!   Friday was a good work day, I had a great spin class (finally started to feel like I was shaking the scratchy throat/cough crap)..went for a walk with Diane- which we never get to do on a Friday, but we were able to work around our schedules- almost did 4 miles!   Went dancing Friday night with Bill and had a great time- there was a guest band and they were a bit one dimensional- but we still got in quite a bit of dancing.   If we stay after midnight, it's a good night.

Saturday after a little sleeping in, we dragged ourselves out of bed. I went to check in on Sunny's furry babies (was driven there by my brother and then did a walk back home to get in my exercise)!  Her kitty Maui is such the love bug, every time I check in on her babies, I want to steal him.  He immediately rolls on his back for you to rub his belly- such a completely loving, trusting cat!   Once I got home, we had to get ready pretty quickly to catch the train to SF.  We met Robin and her daughter at Amici's for a pre-Giants game dinner, which was a lot of fun.  Great to finally meet Robin's daughter - we really had a nice time together.  Then the Giants game- which was a lot of fun, they won and we ran into friends Jeanette & Donnie (2nd time running into them at a game)..things like that just make the whole experience so much more fun!   We got home around 10pm- checked in on Sunny's kitties again and then dropped by Diane & Mike's - we had a feeling they would be fireside- so we enjoyed a couple of hours socializing with the two of them and Rob & Josie.  Fun times! 

Sunday, again slept in- even though we had the better of intentions to get up.  I swear one of these days I will make it to church- so I continue to pray (in bed) that the services will someday get moved to 10am!   As we were slowly waking up, I was teasing Bill about not talking and said "cat got your tongue?"- well that reminded me that we had to feed Sunny's kitties before getting to the McClymonds at noon- so we high tailed it out of bed and hurried to get ready- we were a tiny bit late, but it all worked out.   Bill spent the day with Mike and our Godchildren (Nolan & Brooklyn)- and Diane, Yvonne and I headed over to Pleasanton to meet up with the rest of the Gal Pal gang for lunch and a movie- such a relaxing afternoon spent with wonderful, positive ladies....then back afterwards to Diane & Mike's house where the boys had dinner waiting- we enjoyed a relaxing dinner and some poolside chat time and finally home to crash and begin another week!   Yikes- how did Monday get here so quickly.

A great weekend- wish I had gotten in Body Pump over the weekend- but the schedule was a bit too crazy. I have tried to watch my food and alcohol intake for the weekend- however, right now I have used up all weekly points and have dipped into the Activity points by 20! Sigh.  Fortunately, there are zero eating out events this week and I need to bump up the activity which I plan to do.  Got to keep the scale moving in the right direction.  According to Friday's weigh in- I gained 1.4 pounds, but Saturday morning I was back even - no loss or gain...so think it was just the body/scale playing tricks on me.   Same thing happened to Bill as well!  

I have been offered a new class at one of the gyms- it would be a 3x a week deal early morning boot camp/athletic conditioning type of class to start ASAP..and I am considering it.  My only apprehension is the fact that is is a "fly by the seat of your pants" type of class- meaning you make things up as you go and I have not done that type of class in a long time- but it would be good to pick up the additional classes and start my days early again- I am so much more productive when I get up early!   We'll see- I am going to check it out and get a feel for the group and then decide. 

Time is flying by so quickly...

I can't believe that July is already 1/2 way done- which means summer is 1/2 way done.  I almost got into a hyperventilation state the other day thinking about how fast this year is going by!  Our cruise on the EPIC and trip to NYC/Paris seems like an eternity ago - even our Anniversary Cruise seems so long ago.  Strange.  I am sitting here at the computer almost ready to go to bed, but can't seem to get my mind to shut down.  

The week has been a bit challenging with WW and I'm not sure I will see a weight loss on Friday- between the weekend away- which overall I was pretty good and conscientious of my choices- I even came home with weekly points left- but then between the Giants game on Monday night and an impromptu dinner out Tuesday night- well used up all the weekly points and dipped into my Activity Points.  I just don't dip into the AP's very often- so I am always scared when I do.   I also have not been earning as many APs that I normally do either.  Currently I've earned 44 activity points- but that's counting 3 nights of dancing- which is very low. :(  one yoga class and 2 walks this week- NO strength training- I need to get in Body Pump tomorrow or else I am just going to feel terrible!   In all fairness though, I still have that tickle in my throat and although it is getting better- the dry cough is still a nuisance and of course is irritated with activity.   One more day to make a difference this week...even a slight budge in the right direction on the scale will make me happy! 

I had a wonderful night at the Giants game with my brother.  We had not gone to a game together since Opening Day back in April- so it was nice to spend that time together, doing something we both love.  On the train ride up he commented on how he can tell that I've lost weight- he had no idea how much I had lost, but knew I was working at it.  I had not seen him in a few weeks- with the boys out of school and my non-appearance in Church for several weeks- we just have not crossed paths...although we talk all the time.  It was great to see him and see that things are finally starting to shift for him and God willing, things will go the way they are supposed to and we will finally see good prevail over evil (on so many levels)- he is such a good man and has been so thoroughly screwed by a few specific people, it's just nice to see that through all of his faithfulness, he is finally seeing some progress in the right direction.  

Glad to say that everything with my mom is going well.  She still battles the want for a cigarette and says she's going to have one, but as more time passes, I think she realizes that she really can't start.  She is feeling so good these days and looks good.  We have been blessed that she was saved and that she can enjoy a good life now and see so many health improvements.  

Feeling so very blessed to have my family and my friends.   My friend Kristy posted yesterday about her 4 year anniversary of the loss of her father and the same day a close family friend also passed away.  Well this has got me thinking of my dad a bit more than I would normally and I am just so miffed that he has been gone off this earth for almost 22 years - I was 23 years old when he died...so I am coming up on the 1/2 way point  of my life where I've lived 1/2 of it with my dad and 1/2 of it without...just a crazy observation but it would be so nice to have him around, for him to have met his grandsons, for him and mom to have traveled the world together, he would have loved Bill - they would have gotten along famously.   Kristy talks about how her dad died due to diabetes and unhealthy living and my dad pretty much died of heart disease and unhealthy living- but he had made HUGE changes for a decade prior to his death.  He quit smoking, quit drinking, started to exercise, lost a ton of weight, ate a good diet- got the bypass surgery and he was supposed to be "good as new"- well that didn't happen.   It just really saddens me to see just how unhealthy our society really is.   I'm not above it all- I have  my vices, but I do make a concerted effort to make changes in my life to be around longer to live it.  But so many just don't get it.  

Oh well, enough reflections for one evening--time to get some ZZzzzzzzzz's!

Amazing!

I am absolutely amazed that now after 11 weeks on WW, I have lost 17 pounds.  My darling husband after 10 weeks has  lost 19 pounds.  It's amazing what you can do when you set your mind to it.  Bill is very close to his goal and he looks fabulous.  I have been noticing little things here and there - like clothes that are fitting better, or clothes that I have not worn in awhile and now they fit again.  I refreshed my dance wardrobe and bought some new shirts-- I was wearing one of them tonight.  We were dancing at a place in Sacramento called The Ballroom and they have mirrors all around the dance floor, so I could see myself dancing and I didn't feel fat, I didn't look fat.   We noticed someone dancing the other night who was wearing a tight shirt and you could clearly see rolls that are accentuated when someone wears a bra that is too small...it was awful and I had given this person the nickname "Michelin man" because the rolls  looked like the Michelin Man...so that is my new saying when I get dressed to go out - "do I look like the Michelin Man" - we both laugh but most importantly is Bill says that I don't and he would tell me if I did. 

I have been battling some tickle in my throat for the past week and was told today by the Chiropractor that I probably have a virus- he's seen others with the same symptoms and I was thinking it was just allergies- well maybe it is, maybe it isn't but I feel crappy right now- my throat is super raw (probably from talking too much)- but that is the only part of me that has a symptom...weird.  I taught Body Pump early this morning and I felt like I had allergy head- I got through the class ok- did a few choreo blunders but not noticeable to the class- just things that I knew in my head...hate feeling that way- but this morning was tough.  I am hoping that I wake up feeling better tomorrow- took some meds and just want to get a good night's sleep.


We have a big day planned at the Drag Races, then dancing tomorrow night at another venue up here in Sacramento.  Guess I better get started on those Zzzzzz's!

I'll Rest when I'm Dead!
Exhausted but must write!

I have gone so long since last writing that all my good thoughts are gone! :)  Well maybe not so gone.
I reached another milestone with last week's weigh-in...3.2 pounds for a total to date of 15.2-  for some reason the previous week "12" just didn't sound as good as "15.2" this week.  Amazing what importance is placed on a number!   I was shocked, but happy to see such a large loss - but considering the week before was so low (lower than I had thought)- it has all balanced out.

I just keep kicking things up a notch..making sure I am getting at least 3 strength training days per week, walking 4-5 times a week, spinning 1-2 times and I have been teaching Zumba for the last month and that sub gig ended last night- so now it's time to get back to my favorite instructor's class to take Zumba more regularly.   I'd like to try some new formats just to keep things fresh and shock my body.  It's amazing- I had gone several days without walking and two weeks since Zumba and yesterday I did both- today I was sore!   A good feeling, indeed.  

This past weekend I was honored to be part of the launch team at the Palo Alto JCC for Body Pump 78!  I was to teach the last three tracks: shoulders, abs and the cool down.  It was great to meet some instructors that I didn't already know and to teach to a packed room.  The class went smoothly and afterwards I got a lot of really nice compliments and feedback from the members.  I was actually compared to what this club considers to be their favorite instructor and was told that I came pretty darn close.  I have been reassured by the Director that the next opening will be offered to me and if they can find a new slot on Tuesdays/Thursdays- I'll have dibs on that.  I hope that happens soon.   I also received some very nice feedback from a fellow instructor the next day...so all in all Saturday's launch was a huge success!  Also, through my networking with these instructors, I  have picked up two classes to sub in the coming month- one this week and one in August.  I love the new release, I keep singing and humming the songs and going over the choreography in my head.  Must be why I'm so exhausted!  :)

This past WW week has been challenging - we had Brooklyn's Birthday party on Saturday which was an all day into the late night event 1pm-1am...but I did the best that I could.  We ended up over the McClymond house on Sunday for poolside fun and ended up staying for dinner again.  Hoping that all my extra workouts this week will earn a positive result on the scale- anything but a gain would be positive.   I have used all of my weekly points and a good portion of my Activity points...hate when all the eating events hit at the same time, but it's bound to happen.

Work has been insanely busy, but productive at the same time.  I am going to be training my second independent contractor who is going to start working for me next week.   Just amazed at how all of this has come about- I have not advertised, but here I have two ladies who have some pretty good business to book and have decided to get into the business- and they are both go-getters, responsible people with good business heads on their shoulders! YAY!

Getting ready for a fun-filled weekend, although I'm happy I still have two days of work left..so I can leave Friday feeling like I shouldn't be working.   Drag races in Sacramento ~ Bill is so excited to go since it has been so long since his last race.  I'm looking forward to time in the sun to soak in the Vitamin D...and also to go dancing at new places.  Meet up with good friend Robin as well and then swing by mom's house on the way home Sunday to help with some odds/ends and then take her out to dinner/movie.  Rest?  No clue- I'll sleep in a bit both Saturday and Sunday!

Feeling Good & Starting to Notice Differences...

Again, I have been not blogging as regularly as I wish- guess the summer bug has caught me and I'm just not sitting idol at the computer as often.  I'm here now only because it's still about 85 degrees in the bedroom and I'm hoping for it to cool down just a bit more so I can sleep!   I can't believe it's Sunday again, that it's July and that the weekend is almost over again!!  I don't know if it's age or just the time we live in now- but time really does pass way too quickly.

I was just way too tired to get up early enough Friday to make it to Weight Watchers AND get my new spin playlist finalized for Friday's 915am class- so I decided it would be the bathroom scale this week, so I could get a new playlist done for class- glad I did.  It was nice to have new music and feel like I could check something else off my "to do" list.   This weeks weight in was "down .8" for a total loss of 12 pounds.  I was a bit disappointed because I really felt that I did the work this past week: I had 34 unused activity points, I had earned 54 total - I had a few walks during the week, went dancing twice, taught a few extra classes- but I think what I was missing was more strength training- I only did Body Pump once this week - I think that may be the difference.   Oh well, I still have to be happy that the scale is going in the right direction.

I am really beginning to notice things with my 12 pound weight loss.  The fact that my belly ring doesn't feel "tight"- for awhile it was not very comfortable, but I was scared to death to remove it for fear I'd never get it back in again.  Maybe subconsciously I kept it in so that I would be prompted into doing something about my weight.  Who knows.    I also noticed last night that I put on a new shirt for dancing- one I bought about 2 months ago- I had tried this shirt one night around the time of purchase and asked Bill and he said lovingly, "no it doesn't look that great"- it was a bit clingy and you could see my rolls....well I put that shirt on last night and there weren't any rolls- I looked and I looked again and no rolls!   I asked Bill and he said that it looked so much better than when I had tried it on before.  Amazing how you really can see the difference.   Today we went to a BBQ and I wanted to wear a halter top to be as cool as possible and I pulled something out of my closet that I have not worn in over 4 years probably- and it looked good...so excited!

I am really very proud of the changes that Bill & I have made in order to achieve our weight loss goals- it feels good, we both have more energy- in fact we've been going dancing on Wednesday nights regularly and this weekend we went dancing both Friday and Saturday- what a treat and we danced pretty much all night long- tons of Activity Points earned and we have both cheated and gotten on the scale- and if all holds true by Friday, I hope to have a huge drop on weigh in!

I am happy that I was at a BBQ today with friends and really didn't overeat- I was very conscious of all I was eating, even texted the hostess prior to get an idea of what was being served so I could plan points accordingly.  I was in charge of dessert- so I made low fat brownies and an angel food cake. I broke out the tape measure and made sure everything was cut down to "serving size" so I could have an accurate point count.   I splurged, but I knew what the points were, I had weekly points to spend, so I spent them...and still have about 1/2 of them for tomorrow's festivities.

Tomorrow I get to see my ex's family- my niece Jenifer is having a baby next month so this is her Baby Shower/BBQ/Pool Party- I am really looking forward to seeing the family- some of them I have not seen in over 5 years.  I'm just very grateful that I get to be a part of this special time for Jenifer and that I have maintained the friendships with these people- we were so much a part of each others lives for so many years- you just don't toss that away...but will watch the food intake!!