Feels Good to Exercise!!

I rocked the gym tonight. My great return after almost a month not going. I've used every excuse in the book, including exercising in other ways, but it was long past time for me to get back.

It was awesome. I wish I could remind myself of this every time I sit around dreading going there. And I especially hope I can remember this tomorrow night after sushi with my friends. I feel so good. I'm breathing easier, and that cheddar popcorn I had earlier isn't so bad anymore now that I've given myself the chance to work it off!

Hooray for the gym!

I can DO this!

:)

I feel really good about my day today. I made wise choices for food. I planned my eating in advance, I took a nice long walk (boy it's been gorgeous outside), and I'm getting ready to go to bed nice and early tonight.

It's amazing what a difference a day can make!

Now it's time for me to pack my lunch for tomorrow and get settled into bed with a book! What a great day!

WOW!

I am back from one of the most fantastic experiences of my professional career in Omaha, and my wonderful, sweet and thoughtful husband took me to see Sex and the City, which he knew I wanted so badly to see.

What a rollercoaster. I LOVE LOVE LOVED this movie. I was still crying 20 minutes AFTER the movie ended. It's just really resonating with me.

What did everyone else think? I'm dying to dish, but I won't ruin it for anyone. I love those girls (and Jennifer Hudson, too!).

Day 1: Taking Care of Myself

Yesterday, as most days seem to be, was crazy for me. After work I had several errands to run, including: picking up my new glasses (yay!), picking up milk and yogurt at the grocery store, figuring out dinner (I cheated and picked up a pizza - but we haven't had pizza since December!), and going to see Chris' grandparents. I was also supposed to design letterhead and #10 envelopes for my cousin's campaign for judge and make some edits on a web site that i'm designing with my friend Lisa (my very first!).

Well I was a total task master, and got it all done except for the site edits, which I just told Lisa i'd finish up tonight. We even stopped and got ice cream to take to Chris' grandparents. And yes, I indulged in that, too.

We got home around 9, and I was all done with everything on that list in under four hours. I was very proud. So from 9pm on - was ME time.

I took the time to lay out an outfit for myself today, and iron what I wanted to wear. And I feel fantastic today just wearing something that I feel GOOD in. I have an important meeting this afternoon, so I'm ready to tackle that. I also made myself a very GOOD lunch that's high in protein and veggies.

Then I laid down and read a book for a half hour. I never get to read anymore. It was fantastic!

Small steps, I know - but every little bit helps!

Oh the Anticipation!

I can't wait to see the results of this week's pedometer challenge! I think I did pretty well this week since on Wednesday I logged over 10 miles! I was on a trip to Madison, Wisconsin and had some hours to burn on Wednesday afternoon. Well burn, I did! It was a gorgeous, sunny 80 degree day. I did some exploring, met my friend for dinner and my uncle for after-dinner drinks. What a fabulous day!

It's been a busy busy past five days. With a whirlwind trip and some other family issues going on, I really had a nice (and somewhat emotional) time off. I'm totally procrastinating getting back into work, too! I ate well, and last I had checked, I lost the 3 pounds i've gained over the last few weeks. If I can keep up with the exercise regimen, and making good food choices, I think I can keep the momentum of not counting points, making wise choices and only eating until i'm full.

I unpacked most of my summer clothes this weekend and two pairs of capris I couldn't wear at the end of last season did fit. That's a good sign. I'm eager to keep going.

I had the realization this morning in my car that i'll be 30 in about 7 months. I promised myself I'd be 40 pounds lighter on my 30th birthday than on my 29th. So I have about 30 pounds to go. Time to get crackin!!

A Fun Friday Night!

All eating talk aside (because it wasn't good), I had a fabulous night out with friends from work on Friday night. We had a happy hour for my friend Christine, who has moved onto our IS department. Afterwards, six of us rented a two-bedroom suite downtown and had a very girly slumber party. It was lots of fun.
Here are a couple of photo highlights:


Chris arrives to join the fun. We had hardly seen each other all week!


My two favorite people from the office!



The unstoppable (former) design team!

Pampering Myself

I don't get haircuts nearly as often as I should. I'll admit it. Having naturally curly hair, I just tend to let it go, because it's really hard to tell.

Chris encouraged me yesterday to do something nice for myself, because I have some things on the horizon that are stressing me out and exciting me all at the same time, and he felt like i needed it. And I do.

So today, I paid a visit to lovely lovely Muna. And she cut and flat-ironed my hair, which I always love. Here's the cheesy photo booth shot for y'all.



I took the 23rd-25th of April off of work, for some of these things on the horizon, and I scheduled a manicure for the morning of the 23rd. I can't wait!

I've been making really good food choices all this week, but I have to admit, that the weather's been too nice to go to the gym. I've been spending time outside in the fresh air, walking the dog. It's been awesome. I know i'm not burning the calories I should, but I'm sleeping like a baby, and that makes all the difference.

Pilates tonight though! And back to my workout routine for sure this weekend. Next week I haven't scheduled a single thing for myself after work, and I plan to plan and cook good healthy meals and work out!

Cleveland LOVES Don Henley

We had a really really fun weekend in Cleveland. And to qualify my headline (my husband will be proud!), we heard Don Henley/The Eagles all over the place up there. After a long drive up there Friday night, we went to bed around midnight, only about 45 minutes after we arrived.

Saturday morning, I had to be up to be at a 9am photo shoot about 45 minutes from my friends' house, where we were staying. I was quite a nervous wreck about the whole thing, and didn't sleep really well. I worried for nothing, because it all went really well, and I was back to our friends' house by noon.

We left for lunching at the Willoughby Brewing Company. It was excellent. Kelly and I split a portobella wrap and fries, and our boys each got their own personal heart attacks on a plate. Afterwards we went bowling. We had a blast. I realize I am totally immature by starting this, but it sure made the day fun. We started the "that's what she said" game. By the end of the second game of bowling, my sides hurt from laughing. It's way too easy when you're bowling especially. For example, Frank said "man, I just can't seem to find the right spot with this ball." THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID!!

Okay, maybe it was funnier if you were there!

We also went out to dinner that evening, and I fared well with king crab legs and a salad. Then came dessert. And Chris refused to share his. Yes, they were that good. So I ordered my own and made everyone share it with me. For the record - it was one of the best cheesecakes i've ever had.

Sunday we drove back early, so Chris and I could both attend separate evening engagements that I won't even go into.

Today though? I'm in my points range. I walked the dog tonight, and i'm heading to the gym. I'm going to the grocery store afterwards to stock up on some food for the week. I'm going to have a great week. I can feel it!

On another note: I found out that Chris is apparently reading this blog from time to time. But I bet he's too shy to say hello!

Turning a bad day into a GOOD day!

The day started out really bad, but it ended really good!

I stayed on track today (except for that thin mint I snuck before the gym - darn those girl scout cookies in my freezer!). I took the dog for a 30 minute walk this morning. I drank my water and planned my meals and my snacks for today. I even got up and made myself eggbeaters and toast for breakfast. I brought my yummy veggie lasagna a banana and a few pretzel sticks for lunch - and I ate outside with my friends Christine and Kate, even though it was only 20 minutes, that fresh air did me worlds of good!! I brought yogurt, fiber one cereal and fresh blueberries for a snack. It's my new favorite!

For dinner, Chris and I had MahiMahi, roasted potatoes (i only ate a couple of pieces), and salads. I went to the gym and did another 40 minutes on the arc trainer. I skipped weights tonight because it's my day to do upper body, and my neck/shoulder is STILL bothering me a bit (I pulled something from coughing when I was sick - but it's WAY better than it has been).

I got to talk with my friend Kelly, whom I just adore, for about 40 minutes after I went to the gym. We have been friends since the second grade. We backpacked through Europe together for a month after college. We've been in each other's weddings. We've been through bad relationships together. We've had lots of crazy adventures together over the years, and managed to stay pretty close through it all. And Chris and I are going to see her and her husband Frank this weekend in Cleveland. I'm VERY excited (although, I have to admit, we're going up there because I have to art direct a photo shoot on Sunday - work is really killing me. Truly).

My Mom and Dad are home from a vacation to Belize. I have missed talking to them!

Chris just found out he got a 96% on his midterm for school (hello making that tuition i'm paying worth it!).

Looking back on it all - it really has been a GOOD day!