Thurs....Wait, it was ONLY Tuesday

Good Wednesday Morning!

On MY this has felt like the LONGEST week. I seriously thought yesterday was Thursday MOST of the day.....but it was only Tuesday.

Here's your Good Morning picture from Tuesday:

That was Kayla's violin playing pose since her class was going to Music. She loves striking fun poses!!! She was also EXCITED to turn in her 100th Day of School Project!!! I'll talk about that more she she actually celebrates her 100th Day.

Before that sweet girl got up, I got up much earlier & headed to the gym. It was my LONG run day on my Half Marathon trainer. I was actually excited to do it!!!!

In that 60 minutes, I did 5.60 miles....& it felt good! It's been a while since I've done a long run.

While those of us in that 5 am gym group were there, we had some excitement.....it SNOWED!!!! Not a ton, but it was exciting to look out the window & see it coming down.

This was my SUV when I walked out. We didn't get any more but a flake here or there; but it was nice to see a little. After getting home, get my quiet time with God in, shower, & Kayla ready, we headed out for our day.

Words hurt! I know this is no news flash or anything....but sometimes they do. They can even hurt when they're said to you by a 6-year-old; especially when she's half of your world. It's not that she said any one thing that hurt, but she compares my abilities to others, a lot. About a year ago, I did a Bible study & God helped me deal with not comparing myself to others. It took me a while, but I got to the point where I was no longer telling either of the girls that if so-and-so did something better, then maybe they should talk to their Daddy about getting a new Mommy. But when someone (yes, even a 6-year-old) is constantly telling you how others do things better than you do, it makes that phrase come right back to the front of your mind. Needless to say, Kayla & I had a talk about how, even though she's 6, she needs to think about what she says, how she says it, & how it would make another person feel (or how it would affect her feelings if someone said it to her). Okay y'all, she's only 6, I wasn't expecting to have to have this conversation just yet.....but ice come to realize when raising kids, you sometimes have to expect the unexpected (thanks, Survivor for that line).

The ride to school had an affect on my whole day......I had a hard time being the happy-go-lucky, positive & upbeat Tasha that I usually am. It even made me think of things I might of said to my own Mom & later in the afternoon, I sent her a text just to tell her I loved her.

And that cycling ride at lunch of 8.3 miles in 43 minutes DEFINITELY did me some good!

 

It was so cold around here, that I REALLY wanted some chili for lunch; so I had some. Unfortunately I did not practice my usual STRICT portion control, so I overate & felt miserable the rest of the day (lesson re-learned for the umpteenth time).

 

The rest of the day & evening were good. We had dinner with Gree & Poppie at our house.....White Beans with Ham & Cornbread for dinner....which was yummy! I was a good girl & didn't overeat! We also had some VERY exciting news!!!!! Nonnie has joined Facebook AND Skype!!!!!!

 

This was the girls Skyping with Nonnie & Pappaw last night. We are ALL so excited!!!! I love technology & it does my heart some good to "see" the people I'm talking to!

 

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So since I was utterly confused on what yesterday actually was, let me go ahead & give you the WIN & WOW Update:

 

 The Weigh-In

 

 

I’ve been logging into My Fitness Pal for the last 535 days in a row as of today (January 29, 2014).

 

As you can see, I’ve lost a total of 37.8 lbs.

I'm now at the maintain the weight but shape up stage.

 

The Workout

  

***Here is what the last week has looked like for me***

Wednesday Goal = Run/Walk

January 22
Stretching
Running 4.75 miles in 50 minutes
85 sit-ups with 10 lb. plate
Burned 498 calories

 

Thursday Goal = Cross-Training (anything cardio other than run/walk)

January 23
Stretching
95 sit-ups with 10 lb. plate
Weights
Cycling 7.8 miles in 40 minutes
Burned 679 calories

 

 Friday Goal = Run/Walk

January 24

Stretching

Running 4.60 miles in 50 minutes

108 sit-ups with 10 lb. plate

Cycling 7.8 miles in 40 minutes

Burned 820 calories

 

 Saturday Goal = Rest from Run

January 25
Stretching
121 sit-ups with 10 lb. plate
Weights
Burned 359 calories

 

 Sunday Goal = Run/walk OR Cross-Training (anything cardio other than run/walk)

January 26

Stretching

Walking 2.58 miles in 40 minutes (I know I'm not supposed to walk as a cross-training day, but it was better than doing nothing at all!)

Kettlebell work

Burned 577 calories

 

Monday Goal = Run/walk OR Cross-Training (anything cardio other than run/walk)

January 27

Stretching

Running 4.98 miles in 52 minutes

Burned 483 calories

 

Tuesday Goal = Run/walk

January 28

Stretching

Running 5.60 miles in 60 minutes

Cycling 8.3 miles in 43 minutes

Burned 895 calories

Goals

I said it before & I’ll say it again (& you’ll keep seeing it): Someone once told me to keep my goals in front of me. And as bad as my memory is, it's REALLY hard for me to remember my goals if they're not in front of me.

Personal Goals:

1) Make healthier meal choices when eating out.

2) When indulging in something that's not a healthier choice, practice strict portion control!

3) Eat at least 2 fruits & 2 veggies daily.

4) Drink 72-96 oz of water daily.

 5) Workout 5 days a week.

6) Log EVERYTHING into My Fitness Pal every day.

7) Be comfortable enough with my body to wear a 2-piece for Summer 2014, even if I don't actually buy one.

8) Walk different 5Ks throughout the year.

Wish List.....so far:

March 15 Run or Dye (registered)
March 22 Do It For Ben

March 29 The Glo Run (registered)

April 5 80's Retro Run (registered)

May 10 Foam Fest (registered)
May 23 Zoom thru the Zoo

June 13 Glow in the Park
June 15 Gibson Guitar 5K
August 23 Inaugural Dogwood Dash 5K Benefiting The ANGEL Program for Kids with Autism
September 14 I Do It For ______ Foundation Run
September 9 Teal for a Cure Walk Run 5K
October Breast Cancer Walks
November Heart Walk

 

I'm sure this list will grow!

9) Walk/Jog Half Marathons.

Planned:

April 26 St. Jude Country Music Half Marathon in Nashville (registration transferred from Memphis Half Marathon cancelled Dec 2013)

December 6 St. Jude Half Marathon in Memphis

10) Stop weighing/measuring everyday....don't be number-driven.

11) Be less self-conscious & more confident with myself. [I think I will always be working on this]

 

**************************************************************************************************************

This post was a link up with

Weigh-In Wednesday

------------------------------
Have a Sunshiny Day,
~Tasha Sunshine
>

Not Too Bad, Monday

Good Tuesday Morning!!!!

I will have to say, Monday was not too bad! I think it had to do with the fact that I was productive Friday afternoon so I was run ragged on Monday.

Here's your Good Morning picture from Monday:

 

Before those little cutie pies got up, I hit the gym for this:

 

Which was 4.98 miles in those 52 minutes.

 

Monday morning was SOOOOO nice getting to have an easy morning!!!! I didn't feel overwhelmed at all! At lunch, Cathy needed to run to the grocery store & we had nothing for lunch; so we didn't go to the gym. But I got to go up to Backermann's Bakery for lunch meat & fresh baked bread.....yummy!

 

Then we went & had lunch at Jalapeno's, an AWESOME local Mexican joint that also serves a great burger.....cause it's a real, hand pattied out burger & not frozen from Sisco (it's not that I don't like Sisco, it's just you get it everywhere). I love me some chips & salsa!

 

And the Arroz con Pollo is my absolute FAV!!!!

 

I only ate 1 serving of chips & salsa & 1/2 my meal, so I have lunch leftover for later this week.

 

Since it was Monday, that meant it was Dance & grocery shopping night. We were EXCITED by a surprise when I took Jamie in: Pictures of the costumes for the big show in June!!!!

 

This is Jamie's costume for her Alley Cats number:

 

This is Kayla's costume for her "Sunshine Medley" number:

 

And this is Kayla's costume for her "Country Girl" number:

 

Do you remember when I blogged about last Monday in Manic Monday that Kayla got sick to her stomach with no fever after Dance class???? Well, this week we did her dinner during Jamie's dance class:

 

FYI: McDonald's in Oakland has been deemed "the best McDonald's" by the girls....because it has a play area; which they have never played on. Anyway, we might change that soon. When it was time to go get Jamie, we went & got her & then took her & Daddy (he went along with us) to his truck at the office (to kill the 45 minutes before Kayla's class). Then Daddy & Jamie grabbed her something to eat & headed home. Jamie is pure exhausted once we have gone shopping & waited on Kayla's class to finish at 8:15 after being at school all day. So we decided to try getting her home after her class.

 

Which meant when it was time to drop off Kayla, I headed to the store & this happened:

 

I know that one day I will miss this...them being this size & wanting to be with me all the time!!!! And I love to grocery shop!!! But it's nice not to have the distraction & have to backtrack back & forth across the store several times!!!! It made my trip seem not as rushed. And since posting that on Facebook & Instagram, I have gotten 80 people who have clicked "Like" & 11 comments that agree....so apparently I'm not the only one who feels this way.

 

After getting Kayla & getting home with Jamie going home earlier, it meant she was sound asleep when we got home....but she needs her rest at the wonderful age of 3. I checked folders to see how the teachers said the girls' days were. Kayla had no red marks & had done great. On Jamie's daily summary note, it said that her teacher was proud of how hard she had worked today on her worksheet & coloring sheet. So before I looked at the sheets, I pulled out her 1st coloring sheet from this school year....and here it is:

 

 

And this is what she had done on Monday:

 

Oh how far she has come in just 1/2 a school year!?!?!?!

 

I must have appeared to be running around like I chicken with my head cut off after that trying to get groceries unloaded & put up, tidying up the kitchen, & trying to get some prep done so my Tuesday morning went smoothly. I say this cause Hubs came into the kitchen, told me to stop, & go relax in the bubble bath he had just ran for me. It was a good idea he had! I need to remember to take just a few minutes for myself to relax each day.....especially right before I go to bed. I slept great!

 

How was your Monday????

Weekend Wrap-Up

Good Monday Morning to you!!!

 

How was your weekend?????

 

Here's how mine went down......

 

Here is your Good Morning picture from Friday morning:

 

But before that little cutie got up, I hit the gym for this:

 

.....which was 4.60 miles for me on this:

 

Then I got in 108 sit-ups with a 10 lb. plate:

 

 

Then I did my quiet time with God, got ready for the day, & woke up my sweet big girl. We went for our Friday Morning Mother Daughter Breakfast. Kayla picked Teague Store (aka: The Right Place):

We read about David the Shepherd King & how God can take even the biggest mess & make it work in His plan. We also read how we're going to have troubles every day; but God's peace can find a way to turn them into blessings, making us stronger in our faith.

 

Friday morning was steady at work & at lunch Cathy & I were able to go to the gym & I cycled.....

....7.8 miles in 40 minutes.

 

Friday afternoon I could have done what I usually do every Friday afternoon: play around & not get much work done. But I decided to be productive....& since it's Monday morning, I can tell you I am THANKFUL I did cause it's nice having a chill morning!!!!

 

Friday night we had homemade sloppy joes & they were YUMMY! We were also able to pull out one of the Christmas cards to explain our connection to them & pray for the family this year.

The family was the Pucketts......Daddy meet Lacy (the mom) during Optometry school & they became great friends.

 

Saturday morning I was able to get up & get to the gym before the girls got up.

 

I did 121 sit-ups with the 10 lb. plate......

 

.....& worked with the weights.

 

The rest of Saturday was filled with housework (cause I was too exhausted to get much done last week), working on stuff for school (100th day of school project & practicing skills), & relaxing. Hubs got to spend some time duck hunting. I was supposed to get to go to a Girls Night.....but was unable to due to some miscommunication. No biggie cause I enjoyed time at home & was well rested for our Sunday morning.

 

Sunday morning I got to take these cuties to spend some time with our Church family:

 

And I also got to sing my 1st service with the choir. I have never been made to feel so welcomed as I did with the choir. I've only been to 1 practice & sang with them once, but they've already made me feel like I'm one of them. It was AMAZING & good for my soul!!!! Songs just speak to me on so many more levels when I'm able to sing them.

 

After we grabbed a bite to eat, I wanted to just be lazy & not workout & just relax & read.......but then I saw this:

It was supposed to be a running day, but I just wasn't feeling it. So I did a little switching of days & did this:

 

Which ended up meaning I walked 2.58 miles in 40 minutes.

 

Technically I know my cross training isn't supposed to be walking; but it's what I felt like doing given I really didn't want to do anything at all.

 

I also did some Kettlebell work.

After the girls got up from nap, we got ready & headed back to Church for the evening activities. The girls have Team Kids for an hour while I have Discipleship Training. Then it's evening service time....with no activities for the girls. I have avoided this as I didn't want to be that parent with kids who were distracting during the service. But God has truly blessed me with really good girls!!!! I let them enjoy the service up until it was time for the sermon; then I broke out the coloring books & crayons. We also sat at the back of the Church. Other than Jamie moving around a lot, they were VERY GOOD! Of course they always seem louder & more distracting to me as a mother....but those around us assured me they were great!

It was a great weekend!!!!

How was your weekend????

Tired Thursday

Hello Friday!!!

Here's your Good Morning picture from Thursday:

It has been Basketball Homecoming Spirit Week at Kayla's school & it was Throwback Thursday; so I dressed her like a "Child of the 80's". I could have done SO much more now that I've put more thought to it....like tight-rolled her jeans, found her a tie-dye t-shirt, OR done her Gene Simmons Kiss Costume from Halloween 2012. But this is what we did. Mornings are tough with her sometimes cause she likes to take her sweet time doing everything. I have to remember to take deep breaths & respond to her instead of reacting. But apparently 6:45-7:35 is just not enough time.....I HATE to get her up any earlier, but it looks like we need to add 5 minutes just so she can take her time waking/getting up. I get her up earlier than 6:45 on Fridays for our special breakfast; so it looks like Monday we'll go to that time every day.

 

 

 

But before I had a morning of getting Kayla to look like a "Child of the 80's", I hit the gym (& did my quiet time with God & got myself ready). I started with some light stretches, then.....

 

95 sit-ups with 10 lb. plate, &.....

 

....weights. I just love my mornings at the gym! And I'm not there alone! I get there around 4:30 & around 5, my neighbor, a member of my Sunday school class, a preacher from another church, & a few high school girls join in the fun. Every once in a while we also have a firefighter & another woman join in the 5 AM Club.

 

 

Work was......crazy busy AGAIN. But during lunch, I was able to do this:

 

Since it was a Cross-Training Day, I decided to count my cycling as the activity for that training day.

 

I got in 7.8 miles in 40 minutes. I love my lunch time rides!!!!

 

The afternoon at work was just like the morning & days before. I am not complaining at all cause it's good for business!!!!! But several days like this in a row have just worn me out. I had planned on getting some stuff done around the house. We had our fish dinner with Gree & Poppie. Then I sat in my recliner, only to get up to do bedtime with the girls. I was asleep by 9 in my chair. Around 10:05, I got up all WAY CRAZY out of it & went to bed.

 

I was tired.....

Non-Stop till 9 Tuesday that Ran into Wednesday

Good Wednesday Morning Afternoon....errrr Happy Thursday! We were SLAMMED yesterday & have been SLAMMED today so I haven't gotten to work on this when I wanted to....imagine that, having to work while at work; LOL!!!!

Here's your Good Morning picture from Tuesday:

I started my Tuesday morning by doing this:

 

which was 4.35 miles in 50 minutes on this:

 

At lunch, Cathy & I were able to hit the treadmill.....

 

I got in 7.9 miles in 40 minutes.

 

Work was CRAZY BUSY & I was thankful for that time on the treadmill!!!!

 

 

For dinner I made Savory Cajun Chicken & Sausage over rice with green beans.

 

It was yummy & I think it would also be good in a tortilla shell as a chicken taco.

 

The girls & I got some chores done: dusting & vacuuming. They got their rooms & helped with the kitchen & living room. Kayla earned another app for her Kindle Tablet & Jamie earned dessert (which she didn't get after dinner cause she didn't finish the little amount I told her to).

 

After the girls got in bed, I decided to do some Kettlebell work cause I hadn't in a few days.

And since it's now Thursday, here is your Good Morning picture from Wednesday:

Jamie was just excited to be going back to school cause it seemed like she had been out a while with having off on Monday. Kayla's school is doing a Spirit Week for the Basketball Homecoming this week. Tuesday was Toon Day (we didn't participate cause I just couldn't get it together). Wednesday was Duck Dynasty Day. She's decked out in her Hunt Like a Girl shirt, hunting face paint, & a pink & camo beanie hat I got from a friend. In the picture she is pretending to hold up her gun.

 

 

Before those cuties got up, my Wednesday started with this:

4.75 miles in 50 minutes.

 

I also did 85 sit-ups with a 10 lb. plate:

 

Work was crazy busy again! It is GREAT for business & I am BEYOND thankful!!!! But we're either going to have to hire a 3rd person soon or I will not be able to function at night. We had a couple of patients that were there into our lunch time, so Cathy & I were unable to hit the gym (it made me kind of sad cause I'm so addicted now).

Since it was Wednesday, we had our Church activities. With those patients having us working part of our lunch, we went & grabbed a quick bite to eat......aka: I ate way too much food cause I ate quickly & was unable to listen to my bodies cues that it was full. So I was not up to eating dinner (with a plan to eat a small snack when we got home from Church activities). I gave the girls a couple of options & they picked McDonald's:

 

 

After they ate, we went to Church. They enjoyed Mission Friends & Preschool Choir while I enjoyed attending The Daniel Plan Bible Study, Prayer Meeting, & historical Bible Study that our preacher does. Then, I got to do something I used to do & have been wanting to get back to for years: I joined the Church Choir! Now, I by no means think that I can sing that well or anything. But I do love to sing & ESPECIALLY love to sing with a group. I was made to feel very welcome!!!! It was so much fun!!!!!!! When I got home, it was late & time for bed.

Here's your WIN & WOW Update:

 

 The Weigh-In

 

I’ve been logging into My Fitness Pal for the last 529 days in a row as of yesterday (Thursday, Jan. 23).

 

As you can see, I’ve lost a total of 37.8 lbs.

I'm now at the maintain the weight but shape up stage.

 

The Workout

 

 

***Here is what the last week has looked like for me***

Wednesday Goal = Run/Walk

January 15
Stretching
64 sit-ups with 10 lb. plate
Weights
Cycling 7.5 miles in 40 minutes
Burned 679 calories

 

Thursday Goal = Rest from Run

January 16
Stretching
69 sit-ups with 10 lb. plate
Weights
Cycling 5.0 miles in 25 minutes
Burned 515 calories

 

 Friday Goal = Run/Walk

January 17

Nothing.....I was exhausted from absolutely NO sleep Thursday night into Friday....I literally saw every hour on the clock.

 

 Saturday Goal = Cross-Training (anything cardio other than run/walk)

January 18
Nothing.....still too exhausted

 

 Sunday Goal = Run/walk

January 19

Again....nothing; but just about recuperated

 

Monday Goal = Run/walk OR Cross-Training (anything cardio other than run/walk)

January 20

Stretching

75 sit-ups with 10 lb. plate

Running 4.67 miles in 50 minutes

Cycling 8.3 miles in 42 minutes

Burned 834 calories

 

Tuesday Goal = Cross-Training (anything cardio other than run/walk) OR Run/walk

January 21

Stretching

Running 4.35 miles in 50 minutes

Cycling 7.9 miles in 40 minutes

Burned 744 calories

Goals

I said it before & I’ll say it again (& you’ll keep seeing it): Someone once told me to keep my goals in front of me. And as bad as my memory is, it's REALLY hard for me to remember my goals if they're not in front of me.

Personal Goals:

1) Make healthier meal choices when eating out.

2) When indulging in something that's not a healthier choice, practice strict portion control!

3) Eat at least 2 fruits & 2 veggies daily.

4) Drink 72-96 oz of water daily.

 5) Workout 5 days a week.

6) Log EVERYTHING into My Fitness Pal every day.

7) Be comfortable enough with my body to wear a 2-piece for Summer 2014, even if I don't actually buy one.

8) Walk different 5Ks throughout the year.

Wish List.....so far:

March 15 Run or Dye (registered)

March 29 The Glo Run (registered)

April 5 80's Retro Run (registered)

May 10 Foam Fest (registered)
May 23 Zoom thru the Zoo

June 13 Glow in the Park
June 15 Gibson Guitar 5K
September 14 I Do It For ______ Foundation Run
September 9 Teal for a Cure Walk Run 5K
October Breast Cancer Walks

 

I'm sure this list will grow!

9) Walk/Jog Half Marathons.

Planned:

April 26 St. Jude Country Music Half Marathon in Nashville (registration transferred from Memphis Half Marathon cancelled Dec 2013)

December 6 St. Jude Half Marathon in Memphis

10) Stop weighing/measuring everyday....don't be number-driven.

11) Be less self-conscious & more confident with myself. [I think I will always be working on this]

 

**************************************************************************************************************

This post was a link up with

Weigh-In Wednesday

------------------------------
Have a Sunshiny Day,
~Tasha Sunshine
>