Pile on the Miles- November 2012

As of this morning I am back to 1.5 down from last Wed- yesterday was wrong!!! YAY!!!

I got in a great 3 mile run yesterday- NO stopping... LOVE MY new shoes... and speaking of running... I have started to think about training for a 10k... I saw a quote that I really liked on Mama's blog or instagram that said "To be able to say 4 miles is my short run" and I LOVE that!!!

I found this training program online... anyone recommend other training programs??

While we are on the subject of mileage- I just signed up for:

Its a challenge that for the month of November you up your mileage of walking/running to avoid holiday weight gain! I love the idea... and the possibilty of winning stuff!!! So I signed up and set a goal of 90 miles for November- cycling and elliptical dont count on your miles- so it will be a running and walking only deal- I am going to try to mostly run- but may get in bonus walks with the hubs and fuzzies at night!

You can go here to sign up.

I am excited about it! I love having goals and knowing other people are going through the same thing as me... ie Jillian Michael's challenge for October- did great til this last week... FAIL- week 4 is waiting for me... and I am scared!!!! I need to do it though! ...better late than never!

I'm in a RUT

I didnt work out this weekend.... my test Friday drained me... Saturday I did go buy new running shoes... and I got fitted... they are SUPER comfy... and then I check out... they were around $150?!?!?! For shoes!!!! I was shocked... but my aching feet needs them! Planning to run at lunch today- need to DE-STRESS!!!!


They are nice, and the hubs and my fav colors! Purple and blue!!

 

 

Yesterday was my 6 month wedding anniversary- the hubs sent gorgeous flowers from the field...

 

 

and my man at home gave me some good snuggle time.. keeping me warm...

 

 

 

organized my laundry/pantry Saturday then bought my shoes and then went to a friends to watch football- had some wine... anyone heard of two buck chuck from Trader Joes???? its super cheat... and delish!

 

 

yesterday I worked all day- we are working on year end reserves... BOO....

 

 

my food wasnt great, but I kept my calories below 1500/day ALL weekend... yet this morning- the scale was up 0.5lb- mind you I was down a pound and a half as of Saturday morning from last Wed- but I just dont get how I am going back up... yes I was lazy and didnt work out... BUT I didnt eat out... or really bad either.... I did have unecessary snacks, but I ate smaller dinners to make up for them!!!!

 

I AM IN A RUT and really feeling defeated... the stress of work and then lack of weight loss and the hubs being gone are all wearing on me.........

 

 

 

its cold in Texas!!!! on the way to work this am checked the temp... holy smokes... it was cold!!!!

Exam Update and Hubbys Birthday!!!



 

Yesterday was my big test.... and I survived.... it was an 8 hour open book test and the prep class I went to recommended 26 books.... I got most of them, and had a few I brought that I figured I would rather have and not need than need and not have and I actually used some I didnt think I would and I didnt use some of the ones I expected to use... there were 80 questions.... and more word questions than I was expecting- some of the problems were impossibly hard and some were easy- unless I was just totally off on them... which is possible, BUT I think I did well enough to pass- either way its done and I dont find out til the end of the year, which is crazy to me because it was multiple choice and on scantrons- how is it that I cant know immediately?!?!

 

 

 

my books and the dolly I used to get them into the testing center:

 

 

 

 

Today is my hubs birthday... he is 6 months younger than me, and I like my cougar status... but now until March 22nd- we are the same age again... oh well... :) Have I mentioned I hit the jackpot with him??? He told me this morning that I have a surprise coming today... on HIS birthday... for finishing my test yesterday and to celebrate our 6 months of wedded bliss tomorrow- he is the most self-less man and I love him dearly... I hate that he is in the field working during this special weekend of his birthday and our wedding anniversary, BUT he is doing it for our future and I love him for that... I cant wait til he gets home on Tuesday!!!!! 

 

 

I didnt make it out to my ride this morning- MAINLY because the ride started at 8, but was about 2 hours away from me... and also because it was FREEZING this morning... I got up at 5:45, contemplated going... then went back to bed for a while... I am going to clean up around the house today and then get some work done- thats another good reason not to do it... I have alot of work I need to get done for reserves for this year- we are meeting with our auditors Wednesday and I still have a lot of work to do and being gone all day yesterday with my test didnt help with that either!

 

 



Liebster Award!

First of all I need to thank Patricia for the nomination! Check out her blog here: http://patriciariley.blogspot.com/2012/10/liebster-award.html

The rules, should you be nominated:

1. If you were nominated, post 11 things about yourselves.
2. Then answer the 11 questions the person who nominated you created.
3. Create 11 more questions to ask the bloggers you decided to nominate.
4. Choose 11 bloggers to nominate with less than 200 followers.
5. Make sure and let these people know you nominated them! No tag backs, so don't nominate someone who nominated you.







11 things about myself:



1. I am a happily married newlywed- my husband Jake and I got married April 28 this year- we will be at 6 months this weekend!!! We were set up on a blind date by a common friend 2 ½ years ago and haven’t looked back since! He’s a hottie… and he cooks!!! WINNING!!!!

2. I have three fuzzy babies: Belle my lab mix who I got when I was in college- she is 8, Maddie my greyhound/pit mix who I got a few months after buying my house- she is 2 ½, and Hank who Jake and I adopted last year, he is 1. I love them all very much and they all get along great and are adorable… as long as its not thundering or they aren’t left home alone too long…..

 

 

3. I am an engineer- I work in oil and gas- yep, big bad oil…. But I promise you I love baby seals!!!! My hubby also works in oil and gas… I am a “Sr Asset Engineer” which basically means I am doing the reservoir and production work for my areas because they don’t want to have to hire another person… good experience for me, but also stressful! I love my job and what I do!!

 

4. I am the oldest of three- my sister is my BFF and she is 8 years younger and my brother is 4 years younger… they are both in Lousisiana- with the rest of my family- I am the first on my mom’s side to leave the state…

5. My dad died of a heart attack while jogging one night when I was 8…. Its changed my life and I miss him terribly, but I know he is watching out for me!

 

 

 

6. I am slightly OCD about things being picked up at my house- probably another good reason not to have babies anytime soon… I hate deep cleaning, but also have to have things put away!!

 

7. I am one of those obnoxious LSU fans…. I bleed purple and gold… I love my school and my Tigers… home game weekends you will find me in Death Valley cheering on my team! GEAUX TIGERS!!!!!

 

8. I hunt, fish, and camp- but am pretty girly on a day to day basis… if I am camping I can go a week without a shower and not bat an eye, but its all about the setting!!!





My buck I got hunting last year:

 

 

 

 

redfish from Port O Conner a couple years ago

 

 

my 625# blue marlin I got on my honeymoon in Hawaii

 

 

 

a big horn sheet we ran into while hiking down into the grand canyon last summer

 

9. I love to challenge myself- hence, signing up for the triathlon Sep 30th this past year, doing a couple 5ks this year and doing the MS150 for the second time in April of next year- last time I did it was 3 years ago- and I hurt my knee- so I will be training a lot more for this ride. I love that feeling you get crossing the finish line, its indescribable!!!

 my friend Christy and me after my first tri, September this year



running into the finish of the tri!

 

 

after the first 5k that I ran the whole thing, March of this year

10. I love traveling…. And wine… my hubs and I go to the hill country as often as we can!!!



11. I bought my first car when I was 23 and then my house when I was 25- growing up without much money- and paying my way through college I learned how to be a tightwad a good saver and smart about my spending.


 



Stephanie's Questions for ME:

1. What is your favorite television sitcom? The Real Housewives shows- I love the drama!!!!!

2. What is your favorite drink at Starbucks? Grande skinny caramel latte

3. What are the three things you would need to not go insane on a deserted island? food, water, and my hubs

4. What is your favorite season and why? Winter- because its Christmas time!

5. What is your favorite grocery store? HEB- much better meat selection than Kroger


6. If you could make out with any actor/actress, who would it be? Hmmm…. Gerard Butler

7. What is your dream ice cream flavor? Reeses flavor

8. What is your favorite cardio workout? Running

9. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? I really want to see Egypt- but the unrest there makes that a bad idea

10. What is your favorite animal? Horses- I have ALWAYS wanted one… and hope to one day have one!

11. How has blogging changed your life? Its given me an outlet… I know no one was reading it until recently…. And even now there aren’t many people still, but its nice to just vent anyway- its cheaper than therapy!!







Patricia's questions for me:



1. Who is the most famous person you have ever seen in person? Fun celeb- Jessica Simpson (I cant help but love her) and real celeb- George Bush Sr 

2. What is your NATURAL hair color? Dirty blonde/light brown

3. If you could spend one hour with any other living human being, who would you choose? This is a tough one… my grandma (mom’s mom)- she an amazing woman… and lives in Nola and I rarely get to see her- cant wait for Thanksgiving!!!

4. If you could spend one hour with any other deceased human being, who would you choose? My daddy
5. If you could travel anywhere, free of charge, where would it be? Antartica- I want to see the world and imagine that would be the most expensive of all the places I want to go!

6. Who would you choose as your plus one in the trip from #5? my hubs- I love traveling with him

7. What is the last thing you watched on Netflix? Don’t have Netflix, but watched Parenthood on DVR last night

8. If you could gain one skill that you don't currently possess, what would it be? Unrealistic skill – time travel, realistic- photographic memory would be cool

9. What kind of car do you drive? 2008 Ford Edge- yay for no car note!!!!!!!!!!

10. How many tickets have you had in your life? One, but I was able to get it deferred- so my record is clear… now how many times I have been pulled over is a WHOLE nother story….. I love being a woman

11. If you could choose one food to make non-caloric, what would it be? Reeses- LOVE THEM!!!!!

 



11 Questions for my nominees:


1. What’s your favorite hobby?

2. Do you have pets? If so, what kind?

3. If you could live anywhere in the world where would you live?

4. What do you write about in your blog?

5. What’s your favorite healthy recipe?

6. If you could give one “diet” tip what would it be?

7. Where do you get your motivation?

8. Who do you most look up to and why?

9. What are your goals? Either for this year or next?

10. What’s your go to “cheat meal”/indulgence?

11. How do you de-stress?

 

My nominees:

 

1. http://jessandfam.blogspot.com/ 

 

2. http://journeybacktohalfofme.blogspot.com/ 

 

3. http://mommyslosingrolls.blogspot.com/

 

4. http://wannabe-mama.blogspot.com/

 

5. http://eatdrinkandbefancy.blogspot.com/

 

6. http://jayellegf.blogspot.com/

 

7. http://www.dailydoseofdelsignore.com/

 

8. http://imjustsayin-sdw.blogspot.com/

 

9. http://www.yo-yo-mama.com/

 

10. http://lifeasweknowit76.blogspot.com/

 

11. http://progressandreasons.blogspot.com/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bike To Build Update!

Friday was my 9/80 off so I studied for the PE and cleaned up a bit- I also went on a run... 2.5 miles, no stopping!!! Still need to get new shoes, but I did buy inserts for arch support in the meantime. It was a good run and my challenge group the SASSY SNOWFLAKES pushed me to run the whole thing because I didnt want to let them down!!! My cousins and brother and their friends all got to Houston Friday night- I had 7 guys staying with me for the A&M game... they all went and I stayed home because of my ride at 8 Saturday am and my need to study!

 

Speaking of my ride... quick Recap on Bike to Build this past weekend… it was a blast… even though I did it alone!

The ride was 20 miles and I pushed myself, but finished with a new biking PR (not in spin class) of 17 mph pace for the 20 miles- I finished in an hour and 11 minutes! I was BEYOND pumped!!! A pic of me before the ride, decked out in my LSU gear... it was a game day after all!!!! 

 

 

After the ride and watching LSU beat A&M... GEAUX TIGERS... I studied- the guys didnt get back til around 7, so I had a good chunk of time to do so.... it was good and then I took my bro and his friend to Chuys... cheat meal of the week- and danget I love that place!!!

 

 

 

Sunday morning was church, then a nap with this little guy, he is the best little spoon ever:

 



Had some play time with the fuzzies.... my babies are ADORABLE!

 

 

This morning was the first weigh in for the group for the challenge on ML's fit camp- I was only down 0.4 pounds- BUT its a loss... AND I am super stressed with all thats going on at work and my big test I have coming up Friday... 8 hours long- man I am ready to get it over with.... today at lunch I went to the gym and sports conditioning class that I love so much- the teacher is like Jillian!!!!

 

This was our workout:

 

 

 

 

I didnt get to stay for the whole hour, so I only did 5 times through, but wrote it down to get it done another day this week! Maybe Sunday?!?

 

I also found out that my trainer put a picture of me and my story on her website... eeekkk... I am impressed with myself that I lost 28 pounds from July of 2011 to May of 2012, but not happy that I have gained almost half that back since May- and thats why I am working on shedding it all over again....

 

 

This weekend:

 

Friday is the PE- 8 hour test- probably going to want to run after

 

Saturday is my second organized ride- Wheels for Wine- its sponsored by a winery and you get a glass when you finish!!! I am doing the 33 mile route- pretty excited/nervous- this will be a new long for me- at least in the past couple years... gotta get my train on for MS150 April 2013!!!!

 

 





I miss it...

I ran a couple times last week, but not at all this week because after my massage... I want to get better running shoes before I do it again- but get ready for it... I miss running...

There... I said it... I am yearning to run right now... itching to hit the pavement... my soar arches argue otherwise, but I do- I miss it... I ENJOY running... I even would dare to say, LOVE running... dont get me wrong there are days I hate running and I just dont want to do it, but for the most part I now LOVE it... It took a while. I couldnt run a mile a year ago and if you asked me I would tell you I would never run a whole 5k without stopping- now I have run a couple! Going to get new shoes tomorrow so I can run again... really excited about it!


I have the PE exam next Friday- going to be studying like a mad man until then- because other than my review class at the end of August and a little prep work I did for it- I havent studied yet... an 8 hour engineering test without studying??? NOT a good idea... I can take it 4 times, but I would like to pass on the first try...

I tried to start studying last night, but this little guy was able to distract me... and then tried to eat my notes...

 

 

my girls this morning!

Fit Camp Weight Loss Challenge

I am on team Sassy Snowflakes and this morning was the start of the challenge and first weigh in!


I ate like crap all weekend in anticipation of this... so I actually started yesterday after getting on the scale in the morning and being up a pound- must have been water weight because after eating healthy yesterday it was gone this morning... yay!

Jillian's RI30 didnt go well last week for me... but I am back on the waggon this week - did week 2 yesterday- those side lunges with leg lift are KILLING my buns...

Today is sports condidtioning at the Met, then back to Jillian tomorrow!

So excited about getting back to wedding weight by the end of the year!!!!!


Had a massage last night and found out I have inflamation in the arch of my foot from running- gotta go get new sneakers this week/weekend...

Its official... I have signed up for my first two MS 150 2013 training rides...

Bike to Build - raising money for Habitat for Humanity this coming Saturday and Wheels for Wine the following Saturday- gotta get my fall rides in on away game and bye week weekends!!!

The PE is October 26th- so I will be going into major study mode the next two weeks...


A few pictures from the LSU South Carolina game this weekend...

 

 

We drove over Saturday morning and came back Sunday night.. got to meet up with my grandma's sister Sunday morning and visit with her, she has dementia- but is still doing pretty good. Going to have to go see her more often! We also stopped by my daddy's grave and brought him some LSU tulips to celebrate the big win:

 

 

 

Saturday morning I also got up and did Ripped in 30 week 2... wowzers- WAY harder than week 1!!!!! Going to do it again tonight! AHHH!!!

 

 

A few pics from past weekends....

 

 

Our Denver trip, Rocky Mountain National Park and Caleb and Carol's wedding:

 

 

 

 

Oak Alley Plantation on an LSU game weekend:

A couple pictures from hiking Enchanted Rock! Dont ask why I did it in a strapless maxi dress....



 



I saw this on pinterest and I really want to make one of these:

I am pretty sure I have all my bibs, somewhere, but how cool would it be to display them? More reason to sign up for more races!!!!

Yesterday was sports conditioning at the Met.... killer hard, and outside again even though it warmed back up and was really humid.... burned 660 calories in an hour... lots of fun and torture were involved in those calories!! Planning to run today at lunch and do RI30 week 2 tonight.

I worked til 7:30 last night... LONG day, had lots of things for the reservoir side of my job come up for budget stuff so worked late...

Tonight is Christy's jewelry party- so I plan to head to that for a while. Hope I still have time to get in my workout after, I need to stay with this RI30 schedule!!!


Hank wanted to come to work with me today... bring your son to work day??? He is adorable!!!

 

Yesterday I came home to these:

 

I have the best husband!!! With all the craziness going on, I figured he had forgotten... he is GREAT with dates- better than I am, but yesterday morning our baby boy, Hank, was not doing well and he had to take him to the vet to get meds, he has FLUTD, which can be lethal, but luckily we caught it super early... the doc gave him two shots and said he will be fine! :)


He was relaxing for a bit, but otherwise playful yesterday and never lost his appetite and we gave him some wet food to help him out too... I love my little man:

 

 

Yesterday at lunch I got in 2.6 miles- even though I had to stop running early in the run to talk to Jake to get an update on Hank after they left the vet- so I am happy with that 2.6... didnt get to do Jillian last night because I got a migraine- drugged up once I got home and was asleep not long after dinner- prolly 7:30 if I had to guess... we watched Grey's and then Jake turned on a hunting show and I was snuggled up to him and Hank came and snuggled in my lap and I was out... got a lot of good sleep last night and feeling good today- which is good because today should be another busy day at work, not going to the gym at lunch because have a Bible study thats every other Tuesday that I want to start going to again - so that means Jillian Ripped in 30 week 2 HAS to happen tonight!!!!