Hi there,
Well, we're halfway through my BeachBody Challenge, and while I'm not over-the-moon with my results (it's all mental, I assure you. More on that later), I do, in fact, have results, so that is good progress.
First, as a reminder, these were my goals for the initial 60 day period:
5 GOALS
Dates: July 1 - September 1:
1. Replace breakfast with Shakeo every day for 60 days.
2. Follow the work out schedule (Supreme Warrior) listed in my Fitness Guide.
3. Lose 15 pounds
4. Lose a cumulative 10 inches
I'll give a quick update regarding all 4 goals below.
1. Replace breakfast with Shakeo every day for 60 days.
This is in progress. I've had Shakeology every morning for breakfast since late June, and I really do love it.
2. Follow the work out schedule (Supreme Warrior) listed in my Fitness Guide.
This is in progress as well. That said: I haven't missed a single workout, and I don't intend to start now. 6 days on, 1 day off... it's been a challenge, but one I have really been stoked to be part of.
3. Lose 15 pounds.
Here's where I feel I'm struggling. I haven't lost a single pound. I lost 1, then gained it back. Then, I lost 2.5 and have somehow gained those back, too? Thing is, I'm not eating badly, and I'm not overeating either. Yes, I have some splurges, but not every day. While I understand that the number the scale shows is often unreliable at best, it's still hard to mentally get over the fact that, for the last 30 days, I've been kicking it into high gear, I've lost inches, and I've worked HARD, and the scale hasn't moved. I do understand that the same weight looks very different when it's leaned out, but still. This is the hard bit.
4. Lose a cumulative 10 inches.
Well, this, at least, I can celebrate. As of today, I've lost the following inches:
Chest: -1.6 inches
Left Arm: -0.25 inches
Right Arm: -0.5 inches
Waist: -2.5 inches
Left Thigh: -0.55 inches
Right Thigh: -1 inch
Hips: Unable to measure (because I measured incorrectly previously)
So, after 30 days, I'm down a cumulative 6.4 inches, which puts me only 3.6 inches from my goal. That, my friends, is progress that I can't argue with.
I've signed up to be a BeachBody Coach, and I'm still motivated to work out hard. I'm going to reevaluate my diet (again) for the month of August, and it's my intention to do Combat at least through the end of September. My hopes for the month of August are simple: continued loss of inches, and hopefully the actually loss of pounds. Also, I want my kicks a bit higher, so we'll see.
Til then,
Ang
Wednesday 31 July 2013
Monday 29 July 2013
Love and marriage, love and marriage...
So, I'm just going to jump in on this topic... one that I generally shy away from, but for the moment, I'm just going to discuss it briefly because I read this thing that really resonates with me, and it just happens to be in the middle of a blog post that is very, very....
Well, it talks about religion and Christianity and God a whole lot.
So, here's the quick and dirty version of my thoughts on religion: I believe in the Christian incarnation of God. I do not believe I have to go to church to prove that; in fact, I can candidly say that, based on historical facts about my life, church was often a detractor from developing pure, untarnished faith in my aforementioned God. I also believe that many other religions, mostly Eastern in origination, make a lot of really good points, and that the Universe is a big, karmic thing. But I do believe in God.
In the middle of this blog post, which (by the way) I only read because I liked a snippet of this quote a friend-of-a-friend shared on Facebook, I found this quote that so succinctly sums up my thoughts on my marriage that I couldn't not share it with you guys.
PS The title of the article is "My husband is not my soul mate."
I'll let that sink in for a second.
.
.
.
The author discusses the late '90s/early '00s movement among young Christians, which I was a part of, to varying degrees, so I remember it well: I Kissed Dating Goodbye and Courtship and whatever other generally twisted out of proportion thing was going on then (not to say that there was not merit to each of those movements, but I do believe that there was a bit of an overzealous focus on the HOW and not the WHY of each of them). I also believe that it gave a lot of people - particularly young women who labeled themselves Christian - unrealistic expectations about how a relationship would come together for them... how God would divinely intervene, make the handsome youth leader with an amazing voice and skills on the guitar step right into their path and make them swoon their way into a marriage that would be amazing in every way. Not quite realistic, that.
We could talk for hours about it, but that's not really the point here.
The point here is this quote, right here, is perfect.
Replace some of those locales, and it's my husband and me. Also, I wasn't so giggly... at first.
All variables aside - including our daughter, who has completed our lives in ways we didn't even know we were lacking in - I don't even think I need to say anything else, aside from this:
I love you, Kenya.
Forever and always.
Arguing or laughing or crying or talking each other down.
Day in, day out.
Thank you for giving me that same honor.
Well, it talks about religion and Christianity and God a whole lot.
So, here's the quick and dirty version of my thoughts on religion: I believe in the Christian incarnation of God. I do not believe I have to go to church to prove that; in fact, I can candidly say that, based on historical facts about my life, church was often a detractor from developing pure, untarnished faith in my aforementioned God. I also believe that many other religions, mostly Eastern in origination, make a lot of really good points, and that the Universe is a big, karmic thing. But I do believe in God.
In the middle of this blog post, which (by the way) I only read because I liked a snippet of this quote a friend-of-a-friend shared on Facebook, I found this quote that so succinctly sums up my thoughts on my marriage that I couldn't not share it with you guys.
PS The title of the article is "My husband is not my soul mate."
I'll let that sink in for a second.
.
.
.
The author discusses the late '90s/early '00s movement among young Christians, which I was a part of, to varying degrees, so I remember it well: I Kissed Dating Goodbye and Courtship and whatever other generally twisted out of proportion thing was going on then (not to say that there was not merit to each of those movements, but I do believe that there was a bit of an overzealous focus on the HOW and not the WHY of each of them). I also believe that it gave a lot of people - particularly young women who labeled themselves Christian - unrealistic expectations about how a relationship would come together for them... how God would divinely intervene, make the handsome youth leader with an amazing voice and skills on the guitar step right into their path and make them swoon their way into a marriage that would be amazing in every way. Not quite realistic, that.
We could talk for hours about it, but that's not really the point here.
The point here is this quote, right here, is perfect.
My marriage is not based on a set of choices over which I had no control. It is based on a daily choice to love this man, this husband that I chose out of many people that I could have chosen to love (in theory, don’t imagine that many others were lined up and knocking at the door). He is not some illusive soul mate, not some divine fulfillment, not some perfect step on the rigorously laid out but oh so secret “Plan for My Life.”
But he is the person that I giggly chose to go out on a date with in college. He is the person who chose to not dump me when I announced that I was moving to France for a year, then Kentucky for another year. He is the person who asked me to move to DC and I chose to do so. He is the person who decided to ask me to marry him and I agreed. At any step here, we could have made other choices and you know what? We might have married other people, or stayed single, and had happy and full lives.
But now I delight in choosing to love him everyday.
I like it better this way, with the pressure on me and not on fate, cosmos, or divinity. I will not fall out of love, cannot fall out of love, because I willingly dived in and I’m choosing daily to stay in. This is my joyous task, my daily decision. This is my marriage. (via)
Replace some of those locales, and it's my husband and me. Also, I wasn't so giggly... at first.
All variables aside - including our daughter, who has completed our lives in ways we didn't even know we were lacking in - I don't even think I need to say anything else, aside from this:
I love you, Kenya.
Forever and always.
Arguing or laughing or crying or talking each other down.
Day in, day out.
Thank you for giving me that same honor.
Sunday 21 July 2013
A Beachbody Update, Clean Eating, Books, Joss Whedon, and Bella B.
Hey-o.
Well, we're 9 days away from my first official "measure in," and I haven't lost any weight. I won't lie, that's really disappointing, but I did take some preemptive measurements last week in an attempt assuage said disappointment, and inches are gone from my waist, arms, and legs, so obviously, my body is changing. I just wonder what this is going to mean, weight-wise. I'm eating within a calorie allotment and replacing a meal every day with Shakeology, but still not seeing loss. Yes, there have been a few moderate cheats - like last night, I had Torchy's Tacos for dinner (and it was deeee-lish), but I am still more mindful of what I'm eating now than I have probably ever been before.
So anyway, it's upsetting (to a degree), but I have tone in my arms and legs where there was none before, and my shoulders and upper body are also changing - so much that a girl in my apartment office said something about me being "pretty cut" through my shoulders, so I'm trying to focus on that. She also said that, in her experience, the first month of her Insanity workout, she only lost 4 pounds, and then she dropped the weight during month two, so I'm hoping I see a similar trend. The goal for me has never been to be skinny, per say, but to the fit and strong. I'm on my way.
It's a goal of mine to have my household move to clean eating by year end. It's hard, especially in this
day and age of GMOs. God only knows what other science projects are offered to people in the grocery store, but it's a goal, and I hope we can do it, expensive or not. It's probably going to be a step-by-step process for us - move meats, then veg, etc etc, but I think it's a worthwhile goal for a million reasons. Though it was a bit of an unwieldy and overly verbose read for me, I'm glad to have read THE OMNIVORE'S DILEMMA, because it really did enhance my perspective on food and where it comes from. For now, we try to avoid processed foods as much as possible. We'll see how this goes.
In other book news, I've been reading THE INTERESTINGS for the last week and I'm having a sort of difficult time with it, not because it isn't...well, interesting, but because the narrative itself seems overly dense in all the wrong places. I'd rather sparse but intentional writing (like what's used throughout THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS, which I adored) than needless blathering, and I really feel like this book goes on and on about some of the most inane things. But: I will finish it. I have about 150 pages left, I think. We'll also see how this goes.
Obligatory Interjection: I'm currently enjoying the first cup of coffee I've had in about 3 weeks. It is rather divine.
While I've been sipping on this Cup of Deliciousness, I finished watching Serenity this morning, the 2005 Joss Whedon film, and I'm (as usual) kicking myself for not watching it sooner. Buffy was fabulous, and so was Angel, but my real point here is that I love that Whedon isn't afraid to make brave, bold, kick ass female characters, and for this, Serenity did not disappoint. Also, Nathan Fillion, shirtless and sporting bedhead isn't so terrible on the eyes. I also really want to see his version of
Much Ado About Nothing because I am a Shakespeare girl at heart - have been since I was about 17 and begged for a leatherbound, embossed copy of his complete works. I'm sure it will blow my mind.
And speaking of strong female leads, my wee one will be 5 on Thursday, and she's becoming quite the kick butt girl herself. Thursday will be spent doing whatever she wants.
Til next time,
Ang
Well, we're 9 days away from my first official "measure in," and I haven't lost any weight. I won't lie, that's really disappointing, but I did take some preemptive measurements last week in an attempt assuage said disappointment, and inches are gone from my waist, arms, and legs, so obviously, my body is changing. I just wonder what this is going to mean, weight-wise. I'm eating within a calorie allotment and replacing a meal every day with Shakeology, but still not seeing loss. Yes, there have been a few moderate cheats - like last night, I had Torchy's Tacos for dinner (and it was deeee-lish), but I am still more mindful of what I'm eating now than I have probably ever been before.
 |
| via |
So anyway, it's upsetting (to a degree), but I have tone in my arms and legs where there was none before, and my shoulders and upper body are also changing - so much that a girl in my apartment office said something about me being "pretty cut" through my shoulders, so I'm trying to focus on that. She also said that, in her experience, the first month of her Insanity workout, she only lost 4 pounds, and then she dropped the weight during month two, so I'm hoping I see a similar trend. The goal for me has never been to be skinny, per say, but to the fit and strong. I'm on my way.
 |
| via |
day and age of GMOs. God only knows what other science projects are offered to people in the grocery store, but it's a goal, and I hope we can do it, expensive or not. It's probably going to be a step-by-step process for us - move meats, then veg, etc etc, but I think it's a worthwhile goal for a million reasons. Though it was a bit of an unwieldy and overly verbose read for me, I'm glad to have read THE OMNIVORE'S DILEMMA, because it really did enhance my perspective on food and where it comes from. For now, we try to avoid processed foods as much as possible. We'll see how this goes.
In other book news, I've been reading THE INTERESTINGS for the last week and I'm having a sort of difficult time with it, not because it isn't...well, interesting, but because the narrative itself seems overly dense in all the wrong places. I'd rather sparse but intentional writing (like what's used throughout THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS, which I adored) than needless blathering, and I really feel like this book goes on and on about some of the most inane things. But: I will finish it. I have about 150 pages left, I think. We'll also see how this goes.
Obligatory Interjection: I'm currently enjoying the first cup of coffee I've had in about 3 weeks. It is rather divine.
 |
| via |
Much Ado About Nothing because I am a Shakespeare girl at heart - have been since I was about 17 and begged for a leatherbound, embossed copy of his complete works. I'm sure it will blow my mind.
And speaking of strong female leads, my wee one will be 5 on Thursday, and she's becoming quite the kick butt girl herself. Thursday will be spent doing whatever she wants.
Til next time,
Ang
Wednesday 10 July 2013
Reading the Summer Away
This blog? It's really just a glorified Mama Brag, so prepare yo'self.
This summer, my Beautiful B agreed to be a part of not one, not two, but three reading challenges. Yes, some of the books will overlap, but the point is that she's agreed to read just under 40 books this summer, most of them by herself.
Reading Challenge #1: Austin Public Library's Summer Reading Program
For this challenge, she's got to keep a log of which books she's read and once she meets her goal, she can turn in her completed list and she'll get a free paperback book from the Library to keep! I asked her how many books she wanted to read per week, and she said 4. I multiplied that by 8, to cover two months of time, so her goal for APL's SRP is 32 books of her choosing. I'm making her read most of them, but I've also read one or two with her.
Reading Challenge #2: Barnes & Noble's Imagination Destination Program
For this challenge, she had to read 8 books of her choosing and keep a log of them. Additionally, she had to make recommendations on who should read each book. Once the list was complete, her "prize" was free book, based on her age group.
This challenge is actually done already! B chose the classic RAMONA QUIMBY, AGE 8 for her free book. I can't wait to read it with her.
Reading Challenge #3: Book People's Give Me Summer, Give Me Books Program
This program is a bit more structured than the other two, in that Book People has a list of recommended books according to the child's age. Granted, B's skillset is a bit more advanced than some of the books for K-2, but it's good practice for her, so I don't mind. I've gotten 4 of the recommended 6 books on their way to us from the Library and I'll let her read two other books of her choosing. Once she finishes this challenge, the reward is a $5 gift card to Book People, which we'll let her use on a book of her choosing.
We'll get our girl a library of her own yet. ;)
For the record, I, too, and part of a reading challenge for the summer. It's hosted through the APL as well, and for every 5 books I read, I am entered into a drawing for some pretty sweet prizes. I'm also still trucking along on my Goodreads Challenge.
What are you reading this summer?
MWAH,
Ang
This summer, my Beautiful B agreed to be a part of not one, not two, but three reading challenges. Yes, some of the books will overlap, but the point is that she's agreed to read just under 40 books this summer, most of them by herself.
 |
| via |
Reading Challenge #1: Austin Public Library's Summer Reading Program
For this challenge, she's got to keep a log of which books she's read and once she meets her goal, she can turn in her completed list and she'll get a free paperback book from the Library to keep! I asked her how many books she wanted to read per week, and she said 4. I multiplied that by 8, to cover two months of time, so her goal for APL's SRP is 32 books of her choosing. I'm making her read most of them, but I've also read one or two with her.
Reading Challenge #2: Barnes & Noble's Imagination Destination Program
For this challenge, she had to read 8 books of her choosing and keep a log of them. Additionally, she had to make recommendations on who should read each book. Once the list was complete, her "prize" was free book, based on her age group.
This challenge is actually done already! B chose the classic RAMONA QUIMBY, AGE 8 for her free book. I can't wait to read it with her.
Reading Challenge #3: Book People's Give Me Summer, Give Me Books Program
This program is a bit more structured than the other two, in that Book People has a list of recommended books according to the child's age. Granted, B's skillset is a bit more advanced than some of the books for K-2, but it's good practice for her, so I don't mind. I've gotten 4 of the recommended 6 books on their way to us from the Library and I'll let her read two other books of her choosing. Once she finishes this challenge, the reward is a $5 gift card to Book People, which we'll let her use on a book of her choosing.
We'll get our girl a library of her own yet. ;)
For the record, I, too, and part of a reading challenge for the summer. It's hosted through the APL as well, and for every 5 books I read, I am entered into a drawing for some pretty sweet prizes. I'm also still trucking along on my Goodreads Challenge.
What are you reading this summer?
MWAH,
Ang
Thursday 4 July 2013
The Skinny Bitch Chronicles: Mini Check In
So, I'm four days into my Beachbody Challenge, and let me tell you:
THIS SHIZ IS INTENSE.
I flippin' love it, though.
Even when my muscles are screaming at me (which happens every work out, just take my word for it), I feel strong and confident. The workouts themselves are enough of a challenge to sort of spurn me onward but they are also, without question, absolutely attainable.
Better than that, though: I can feel my body changing, already.
I feel lighter on my feet. I can tell that inches have started disappearing, and I think (though I don't have much of a way to confirm this quite yet) that my waist is trimmer. And let's talk about my shoulders and upper body, and how much of a bad ass Boxing Training makes me feel like.
I gotta say: At the end of a workout, after you've done a straight minute of jabs, and you're sweating, and your heart rate is through the freaking roof, and your shoulders are screaming, and your upper biceps are asking for a break, your abs are starting to yell at you, and hell, even your upper thighs are starting to complain... There's nothing quite like that final fist pump of victory, right there at the end.
Trust me, yo.
My official weigh in days are either going to be Sundays (my rest day) or Mondays. I can't wait.
Stay with the fight,
Ang
PS This bad ass right here? This is Rach, one of the primary coaches of Combat. Along with Pink, she's my fitness role model. It also helps that she seems like a cool chick. ;)
THIS SHIZ IS INTENSE.
I flippin' love it, though.
Even when my muscles are screaming at me (which happens every work out, just take my word for it), I feel strong and confident. The workouts themselves are enough of a challenge to sort of spurn me onward but they are also, without question, absolutely attainable.
Better than that, though: I can feel my body changing, already.
I feel lighter on my feet. I can tell that inches have started disappearing, and I think (though I don't have much of a way to confirm this quite yet) that my waist is trimmer. And let's talk about my shoulders and upper body, and how much of a bad ass Boxing Training makes me feel like.
I gotta say: At the end of a workout, after you've done a straight minute of jabs, and you're sweating, and your heart rate is through the freaking roof, and your shoulders are screaming, and your upper biceps are asking for a break, your abs are starting to yell at you, and hell, even your upper thighs are starting to complain... There's nothing quite like that final fist pump of victory, right there at the end.
Trust me, yo.
My official weigh in days are either going to be Sundays (my rest day) or Mondays. I can't wait.
Stay with the fight,
Ang
PS This bad ass right here? This is Rach, one of the primary coaches of Combat. Along with Pink, she's my fitness role model. It also helps that she seems like a cool chick. ;)
 |
| via |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)