Vacay Recap

For being unemployed I sure haven't posted very much! I actually didn't realize how little I've posted until I read the BFF's post and she mentioned that we posted 7 times in July!

July was definitely a crazy month - training, posing, fittings, workouts, meal planning and trying to keep it all together. The good news is August is going to be a bit more relaxed and full of activities that I've been missing out on. I had read so many times before that training for one of these fitness competitions tends to affect one's social life and I wasn't sure how that would work but I was optimistic. During my experience, I did notice the impact- I no longer wanted to go out to meet with friends for drinks because a) I couldn't drink and b) I was afraid if everyone wanted to munch I would be so tempted to cheat on my strict diet so I didn't go out very often. For the same reasons, I didn't go to the movies (snacking on fish during a movie just didn't seem so appealing) or do very much because i was so afraid I'd mess up my diet. I know that a lot of people have the self control to go and do these things without affecting their diet, but I was so scared that I wouldn't be that strong so I chose to stay at home. I'm happy with results of sticking to my diet and training plan but I am so happy to being catching up with friends over New Mexican food, making plans to grab a glass of wine and scheduling a movie date with my fiance!


The San Diego trip was an overall awesome vacation. We stayed in a condo with my parents and sister just across the street from the beach (Sam Adam's Summer in a blue plastic cup accompanied me on many of these quick walks to the beach). Jay and I nicknamed our room the Butthole Bungalow simply because of this lamp...We ate great seafood, In-N-Out burgers and I finally ate the three things my diet missed so badly: cereal + milk + fruit!! It was delightful!! Clearly I had already eaten most of this serving before I remembered to take a photo.

I didn't think that I would be motivated to get back to exercising right away, surprisingly by Monday morning I was ready for a run. I think the sites had something to do with it!
We also sat on the beach, enjoyed the sunshine and played in the water. I think this sums of the great times on the beach had by all....


My goals this month are to blog at least 2-3 times each week and to do some level of exercise (running, walking, zumba, weight lifting, etc.) for 1 hour each day, with at least 1 day of rest!

Repeat Offender

Today, I was awesome. (This blog is supposed to be upbeat and motivational right? So I'm just going to throw it out there because I just felt great today).

Today I was planning on going to the gym to run on the treadmill, but after I made a quick trip to the post office during lunch, I decided a run outside was in order. The weather was PERFECT! Warm, but not hot, cloudy and not humid. It had to happen. So, I suited up and went to a track close to work.

It was a pretty painful run (since I haven't actually run in quite a while) BUT I did it! I did a mile, then I walked 100m and sprinted 100m for another half mile. Then I ran the last 1/2 mile. It took longer than I was hoping it would, but like I sai. I DID IT. AND TODAY I'M AWESOME. And sweaty.

The lighting in this picture does not do my redness and sweatness justice. I was GROSS. haha In the best way possible. I had an orange on the way home to refuel and refresh.

So one reason I'm not awesome today: I am a repeat workout clothes wearer. This is generally not bad because honestly I'm not that smelly a person. Today, however, I smelled like fish. Monday night after spin class, Johnny made me fish tacos. And I sat around the house while he cooked them and I ate them, and then I packed those same clothes to run today. And I stank. haha another good reason for running outside today.

And today was awesome because I helped celebrate the birthdays of two friends on mine. It was too hot to bake, so we have Ben and Jerry's frozen yogurt!

The pretty lady on the right is Lindz. She went to school with Mari and me, but she's also from Massachusetts, so I get to hang out with her always :) Today, she got a bike for her birthday. She was as giddy as a little kid!

She's the only member of our gang without a bike, so now she can join in our group rides! The first one will be the week after next. I'm pumped!

Here's to hoping for another awesome day tomorrow!!

How Did It Get to be August?

Seriously, what happened to July? We only posted 7 times in July and now the month is over. Crazy! Time flies when you're having fun (or when you're not on the healthy living bandwagon and have nothing to post about in my case lol).

August started well today. I got my behind handed to me in spin class and it hurt so good. I haven't been to spin in a while, and it was nice to get back in the saddle (pun totally intended). My mother-in-law is here and she was supposed to come with me. She ended up being too tired from traveling and didn't come which made me feel like an ass because I signed her up for the class, therefore taking a spot someone else could have had. All the spin classes at the gym require early sign-up now, so if I can't make it I always call back and say I won't be there, but I didn't know until just before class this time. Any thoughts on proper gym etiquette when it comes to sign-ups?

Since getting back from New Mexico things have been nutso. My sister-in-law is staying with us all by herself, and although it's been fun, it's been hard. 10 year old require a lot of attention. The little free time I had is even littler! She's been going to work with the hubs in the morning, and then having fun in the afternoon, and this weekend we did a little traveling around New England too.

My grandfather turned 89 yesterday, so we had a party! He broke his hip and (much more recently) his arm this year, but he still wanted to party. And at 89, you get to celebrate for sure!

My cousin was there with her daughter who is now 10 months old! I still love babies, but I still don't want one yet. Sorry folks!

(Doesn't she have awesome hair? And yes I wear that gray dress all the time. It's comfortable and I'm not too much of a shorts fan. Don't judge).

The highlight of this past week was actually on Friday. I took part in something new! I'll give you one hint...

Yup! I went golfing! My company had an annual golf outing, so this year I joined in the fun and played a full 18 holes of golf! I had a ton of fun and really enjoyed getting out of the office and playing for the day. I was TERRIBLE, but it was played in the "Best Ball" style, so there really only had to be one good person on each team. I'm already looking forward to next year! Here are a couple action shots (thanks to the guy in the office who played photographer for the day).

I had a hell of a time finding a light blue polo to match the rest of my team, and I HATED the one I wore (I was pretty uncomfortable/self conscious most of the day), but it was about having fun! And I really did! Plus...not to toot my own horn or anything, but I think my calves look pretty good! (Focus on the good stuff, right?) :)

And here's to a great, happy, healthy month!

Reunited and It Feels So Good

This past weekend in New Mexico was awesome. I got to see the BFF for the first time since October and I could not have been happier. She looks AMAZING and I'm so proud of her for rocking that competition. Seriously guys, my best friend could totally beat up your best friend.

Please ignore the fact that I look like Casper next to Mari..and she happens to looks like she belongs on the Jersey Shore with that spray tan...not that she doesn't usually make me look pale...

The competition was so interesting. All the women, in all the categories, clearly pushed their bodies to the limit and have been working really hard to get to this point. I'm so impressed with all of it. I could never do it! But like I said, Mari rocked it. It was SO fun to be there and cheer her on and help with the prep process! All her hard work and dedication was amazing and inspiring. So baller.

 It was a really great trip over all. We spent lots of time in competition prep, but we managed to make stops at my favorite pizza place, coffee shop, and I got awesome chips and salsa. We also we able to squeeze in a baseball game! I love the Red Sox more than any team, but Albuquerque Isotopes games are cheap and so much fun. Where else do a red chili, a green chili, a taco, and a jar of salsa race around the bases?

I came home on Sunday with my sister-in-law. She's almost 11, but this is her first big trip without her parents, so it's been exciting. We had a long lay-over in Dallas and got into Boston late, but our spirits were high!

It's good to be home and getting back to the grind, even if it's a little off now that there's an extra body in the apartment (getting three people out the door in the morning is WAY harder than two people...especially when one needs a little extra help getting ready).

To report on my goals for last week: I did 2/3. I did not exercise 5 days. With the travel and all the things that had to get done, it just didn't happen. But I'm ok with it. I drank a lot of water and I tracked all my eats, so I'm happy with it. I had a great weigh-in this morning, so I know that if I up the exercise this week, and keep it up with the water and tracking, I'll be right as rain in no time! It's amazing what a visit with the BFF can do for your mental health and motivation. :)

Not to mention, my sneakers just got tricked out.

Oh yeeahhh. That's right. I have a ID tag on my sneaks now. Safety is sexy.

Post Competition!

The BFF and I had a great visit, like our other visits it felt too short to me. It really is so amazing to me that we can live so far apart but the instant we're in the same room, it's like we've never been apart.

The competition (and prep) is officially over!! I am so happy with my final results- I showed up on stage supported by the most amazing family and friends and felt like the best me that I could be. Seriously, having the BFF in the crowd and visiting during the week made this so much more enjoyable for me!! This transformation may not be so drastic but to me I see a huge difference and the best part is - I feel great! Here is my final picture taken after the show. Can you believe the tan? This was a great experience and I'm so happy to have done it but I'm looking forward to some rest and exercise for fun, not because I have to! I'm actually in CA right now because my dad and fiance competed in a triathlon this morning! They both did so well!!

Before yesterday's flight I consumed these two snacks entirely and in under 5 minutes....
We had an early morning today and after the triathlon was complete we were all more than ready for a warm, delicious breakfast. We hit a local favorite and started off with mimosas and then I consumed my first breakfast carbs...apple crepes!!

Yum!!

I mentioned in my previous post that I was going to share some pretty big job news. Over two weeks ago, I gave my two week notice so as of the end of last week, I'm unemployed. It was a really difficult decision to make and not necessarily the best one to make in this economy but I needed to make this change so I did. When I get back from CA I will be working full-time on finding a new job and will keep you updated. I hope to find something soon!!

These are the trinkets I cleaned out of my desk; what doesn't everyone have Flinstones, a pirate eye patch, metal craft wire and a finger trap in their desk??

I hope you had a great weekend and have a week full of fun and exercise!