I ended up taking Friday off from the gym because when I woke up my throat was raw and I was quite achy. However, I slept for nearly ten hours Friday into Saturday (a record in recent history) and the sore throat was gone, but the achiness remained. That did not stop me however, I went and hit it at the gym. I came away feeling pretty great for a sick person. Please note, if I were running a fever (a.k.a. potentially contagious) I would not have gone, because that is just plain wrong. Also, ick or not, I ALWAYS wipe machines when I am done, because anything else would be rude, oh and dirty.
Trainer Traci is awesome for many reasons, but one of the wonderful things she does for me is write up workouts for when she is gone. You see we normally workout Monday-Wednesday-Friday, but she is gone until Wednesday. That means Friday and tomorrow I am without her, so she knocked routines for me. Since I didn't go on Friday, I did that workout yesterday. Today I will do my own thing and then tomorrow it's another Traci workout.
Yes, I am working out on New Year's Eve Day and New Year's Day too. Not doing it would start the New Year off all wrong for me, so I am going to make the most of the fact that Fitness World West will be open. By the way, if you have resolved to get healthy in the New Year, this would be a great time to stop by, they have a joining special. Let them know I told you. :)
Well, speaking of the gym, if I am going to make it and then get to my mother's for dinner, I better roll.
Yours in fitness, Kate
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Pictures of Me - Christmas Edition
I got a surprise in my e-mail yesterday. My sister-in-law Annette sent my a copy of a picture from this Christmas and one from last Christmas. She titled the e-mail "What a difference". Man was she right.
I looked it up, Christmas 2006 I weighed 213 pounds, or about my half way point in this journey. This Christmas, 151 pounds. It is only a difference of 62 pounds and it looks like so much more. I am stunned. In fact very often I am stunned by pictures I see of me, because there are so few.
But these pictures, while they make me feel a little sad from what I did to myself; they also make me feel empowered. They let me know how far I have come. And if I have made such great progress thus far, I can definitely finish the transformation and maintain my body in a proper way for the rest of my life. Because the other thing seeing these pictures does is solidify my resolve - I will NEVER go back.
So, here they are:
Yours in health, Kate
I looked it up, Christmas 2006 I weighed 213 pounds, or about my half way point in this journey. This Christmas, 151 pounds. It is only a difference of 62 pounds and it looks like so much more. I am stunned. In fact very often I am stunned by pictures I see of me, because there are so few.
But these pictures, while they make me feel a little sad from what I did to myself; they also make me feel empowered. They let me know how far I have come. And if I have made such great progress thus far, I can definitely finish the transformation and maintain my body in a proper way for the rest of my life. Because the other thing seeing these pictures does is solidify my resolve - I will NEVER go back.
So, here they are:
Yours in health, Kate
Friday, December 28, 2007
Traci's Tips - 12/28/07
Here's trainer Traci's tips for the week. She is off to Colorado to do something I find fascinating - snow boarding. I find it so interesting since I do not believe I have the grace for that or skiing. But for the first time ever, I believe I have the fitness. As I am sure that the skills can be learned, if not the grace, I will put this on my list of things to try in 2008. There are more, but I will cover those next week, as I am sure you will as well.
Traci's Tips of the week:
1. If possible, trade out the old office chair for a fit ball or physio-ball. This will help with your posture and will also keep you more alert. This also has several other benefits!
2. Get up and walk around when you get a few minutes of free time. This will get your blood pumping and flowing a little bit. It will also help you burn a few extra calories!
3. Make yourself a new playlist to workout to. You will find that it pumps you up just a little bit more than your last one and may give you that extra kick you were looking for!
4. When celebrating the new year pick the drinks that are not as high in calories but contain fruit! Real fruit, like smoothies.
5. Moves of the week: 3 x 20
Ski Jumps- side to side with 2 feet
Reverse Crunches- pulling the knees to chest using abs
Do some extra cardio as well to help burn those holiday treats off! :)
Yours in fitness, Kate
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Ick and Caucuses
I woke up this morning with a small sore throat. Now I am achy and tired.
I blame Fred Thompson. All right, I can't really blame a guy running for president for my apparent cootie. But I can put the fact that I didn't get to the gym today squarely on his shoulders.
Instead of going to the gym I drove to Osceola and interviewed him and moderated a town hall meeting. It has been a long time since I have looked at the caucus process up close and personal in a small town. Even with people's deep concern about issues, there was a warmth in the room because they felt a real part of the process. They are you know and you can be too.
It's a week to the caucuses here in Iowa. There is still time to get to an event, ask your question or listen to a candidate speak. Then on Thursday, January 3rd at 6:30 p.m., go to your caucus and be a part of history. It is as great an honor as regular voting and just as important, if not more so. If you need to know where your precinct caucus is - click here for Democrats and here for Republicans.
Besides, people who are involved in their community and vote, are sexier than those who stay home and watch TV. It goes back to a rule I have learned these last 17.5 months - it is much more fun to 'do' than it is to 'be'. That applies to working out AND doing your civic duty.
Yours in (pseudo)health, Kate
I blame Fred Thompson. All right, I can't really blame a guy running for president for my apparent cootie. But I can put the fact that I didn't get to the gym today squarely on his shoulders.
Instead of going to the gym I drove to Osceola and interviewed him and moderated a town hall meeting. It has been a long time since I have looked at the caucus process up close and personal in a small town. Even with people's deep concern about issues, there was a warmth in the room because they felt a real part of the process. They are you know and you can be too.
It's a week to the caucuses here in Iowa. There is still time to get to an event, ask your question or listen to a candidate speak. Then on Thursday, January 3rd at 6:30 p.m., go to your caucus and be a part of history. It is as great an honor as regular voting and just as important, if not more so. If you need to know where your precinct caucus is - click here for Democrats and here for Republicans.
Besides, people who are involved in their community and vote, are sexier than those who stay home and watch TV. It goes back to a rule I have learned these last 17.5 months - it is much more fun to 'do' than it is to 'be'. That applies to working out AND doing your civic duty.
Yours in (pseudo)health, Kate
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Food Hangover - Part Duh
I seem to remember, after indulging at Thanksgiving, swearing to hold myself accountable and not do it again. Well, I've said it more times than I can count - I am a food addict. And yesterday I slipped.
It wasn't the meal that did me in, no, I ate a small sandwich with just turkey on whole wheat, some roasted sweet potatoes, some steamed broccoli and carrots and a dollop of cheesy potatoes. No the meal was fine.
The endless "tastes" of sugary treats afterward, extremely not fine. By the time everything was said and done I had easily eaten two cookies, a piece of fudge, a bar of some kind (maybe two, I was starting to have an eating blackout - o.k., not really, but it's quite the visual isn't it?) and a piece of my mom's magnificent chocolate cake left over from Sunday.
Yep, it was old school Kate. No stopping. The thinner me was being held in a small closet inside while the evil "Luci" (my inner demon) was running amok and even eating peppermint kisses! (Not a big fan of peppermint.)
So today, I feel like 'normal' people do when they've tied one on with a bottle of Jack Daniels or a 12 pack of Leinie's. I've been nauseous most of the day and if I even look at anything sweet, I get a little erpy.
I swear, if I don't learn my lesson after this one, well... I guess I will have to stop regarding myself as "A relatively intelligent woman", because I will have proven my inane mediocrity.
In the meantime, it's been all healthy today. But I expect it to be days before I completely 'detox'. I am due to interview Senator Fred Thompson tomorrow in Osceola at a town hall. I hope none of his supporters bring cookies - sorry Fred.
Yours in ugh, erp, health, Kate
It wasn't the meal that did me in, no, I ate a small sandwich with just turkey on whole wheat, some roasted sweet potatoes, some steamed broccoli and carrots and a dollop of cheesy potatoes. No the meal was fine.
The endless "tastes" of sugary treats afterward, extremely not fine. By the time everything was said and done I had easily eaten two cookies, a piece of fudge, a bar of some kind (maybe two, I was starting to have an eating blackout - o.k., not really, but it's quite the visual isn't it?) and a piece of my mom's magnificent chocolate cake left over from Sunday.
Yep, it was old school Kate. No stopping. The thinner me was being held in a small closet inside while the evil "Luci" (my inner demon) was running amok and even eating peppermint kisses! (Not a big fan of peppermint.)
So today, I feel like 'normal' people do when they've tied one on with a bottle of Jack Daniels or a 12 pack of Leinie's. I've been nauseous most of the day and if I even look at anything sweet, I get a little erpy.
I swear, if I don't learn my lesson after this one, well... I guess I will have to stop regarding myself as "A relatively intelligent woman", because I will have proven my inane mediocrity.
In the meantime, it's been all healthy today. But I expect it to be days before I completely 'detox'. I am due to interview Senator Fred Thompson tomorrow in Osceola at a town hall. I hope none of his supporters bring cookies - sorry Fred.
Yours in ugh, erp, health, Kate
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Merry Christmas!
I hope you are having a great Christmas! So far I have worked; put a load of wash in at my mom's; retrieved Starbuck's for me, my mom and Bruce; thrown said laundry in the dryer; put sweet potatoes in the oven; prepped broccoli and carrots; all gifts are ready in the car. Whew. Now that I have typed that, I see I have been busy. The elves have nothing on me.
Now time for the blog entry while the sweet potatoes bake and the laundry dries.
Today we are just going to have a little fun here, because I have already spent the season giving you tips, recipes and condoling on attempting make it through the holidays without losing your healthy side. So, I swiped this from Annette's blog. These are my answers, feel free to share yours.
1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
Depends on my mood, neither is particularly healthy. ;) But... if it's egg nog, it's AE and cocoa, it's Ghirardelli at Disney World. Ah, yes, I have to complicate everything.
2. Does Santa wrap the presents or just sit them under the tree?
Wrapped. And when my brothers were little, sometimes double wrapped to foil guessing.
3. Colored or white lights?
LOTS, don't really care what color.
4. Do you hang mistletoe?
I haven't met a reason to yet. Yet.
5. When do you put your decorations up?
Thanksgiving at my mom's. At home, well, we are waiting until we have more room for a real tree. So, the front door is the only 'festive' area and frankly, it looks sad.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish?
Grandma's oyster stuffing, anything my mom makes.
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child?
That's hard. Any time when my brothers were really little. I remember their faces so well when they were opening gifts. They both tended to get warm in their footie p.j.s and their cheeks would get crimson. They looked like china dolls then, they were so sweet.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
Annette asked, "What truth about Santa?" on her blog. I am down with that. Santa is the magic of Christmas, he is eternal and everyone should keep the idea of him all year long. As far as the physical manifestation perhaps not existing on this plane, I was 10 and I gave it up quite begrudgingly.
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
Depends on whether I am at a parent's house. If not, then no, I LOVE to wait.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
My mom's is in red & gold, I mention that one, because I am in charge of getting it up every year. (Though mom rocked and put up the tree this year, I just had to lead on decorations.) The tree that Lori and I fantasize about will be Star Wars - I have been collecting for years in anticipation.
11. Can you ice skate? Well, I've only been once. But I also only fell once, so that is something.
12. Do you remember your favorite gift?
Hmmm. Apparently no. I am finding during these answers that my childhood memories are a bit blurrier than I might like.
13. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you?
Telling family and friends the things I put off all year. While I try to make it clear throughout the year that I love them and appreciate them, I make a point of also saying the things you don't say during the year. For example that I respect them and know the sacrifices they have made.
14. What is your favorite holiday dessert?
Well, the options are naturally endless. The Archway Nutty Nougats only come once a year, so that is nice, Aunt Linda's sugar cookies, almost anything mom or Lori create and of course - Stam's chocolates.
15. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Time with Caelen.
16. What is on top of your tree?
Well, when we do the tree we want to do... Millennium Falcon? Death Star? We'll work on that answer for next year.
17. Which do you like best giving or receiving?
Giving. Honestly, I need nothing, I love to give.
18. What is your favorite Christmas Song?
Silent Night. I know that is a trite and pat answer, but done well, it gives me goose bumps every time.
19. Do you like candy canes?
Yes.
20. Do you like wrapping gifts?
If I have time, I love to make them very neat and they always have an extra flourish. This year as I am still trying to figure out how to schedule my new life, if it couldn't be put in an envelope or bag, it probably didn't get given.
21. Special wants for Christmas?
Peace. But then again, that's what I always want. Every time I see the first star it's what I ask for as well. This year I will add - more time with Caelen. (Then again, I should probably address that in my resolutions in a week's time.)
There it is, more about me than you probably wanted to know.
Merry Christmas, Kate
Now time for the blog entry while the sweet potatoes bake and the laundry dries.
Today we are just going to have a little fun here, because I have already spent the season giving you tips, recipes and condoling on attempting make it through the holidays without losing your healthy side. So, I swiped this from Annette's blog. These are my answers, feel free to share yours.
1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
Depends on my mood, neither is particularly healthy. ;) But... if it's egg nog, it's AE and cocoa, it's Ghirardelli at Disney World. Ah, yes, I have to complicate everything.
2. Does Santa wrap the presents or just sit them under the tree?
Wrapped. And when my brothers were little, sometimes double wrapped to foil guessing.
3. Colored or white lights?
LOTS, don't really care what color.
4. Do you hang mistletoe?
I haven't met a reason to yet. Yet.
5. When do you put your decorations up?
Thanksgiving at my mom's. At home, well, we are waiting until we have more room for a real tree. So, the front door is the only 'festive' area and frankly, it looks sad.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish?
Grandma's oyster stuffing, anything my mom makes.
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child?
That's hard. Any time when my brothers were really little. I remember their faces so well when they were opening gifts. They both tended to get warm in their footie p.j.s and their cheeks would get crimson. They looked like china dolls then, they were so sweet.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
Annette asked, "What truth about Santa?" on her blog. I am down with that. Santa is the magic of Christmas, he is eternal and everyone should keep the idea of him all year long. As far as the physical manifestation perhaps not existing on this plane, I was 10 and I gave it up quite begrudgingly.
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
Depends on whether I am at a parent's house. If not, then no, I LOVE to wait.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
My mom's is in red & gold, I mention that one, because I am in charge of getting it up every year. (Though mom rocked and put up the tree this year, I just had to lead on decorations.) The tree that Lori and I fantasize about will be Star Wars - I have been collecting for years in anticipation.
11. Can you ice skate? Well, I've only been once. But I also only fell once, so that is something.
12. Do you remember your favorite gift?
Hmmm. Apparently no. I am finding during these answers that my childhood memories are a bit blurrier than I might like.
13. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you?
Telling family and friends the things I put off all year. While I try to make it clear throughout the year that I love them and appreciate them, I make a point of also saying the things you don't say during the year. For example that I respect them and know the sacrifices they have made.
14. What is your favorite holiday dessert?
Well, the options are naturally endless. The Archway Nutty Nougats only come once a year, so that is nice, Aunt Linda's sugar cookies, almost anything mom or Lori create and of course - Stam's chocolates.
15. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Time with Caelen.
16. What is on top of your tree?
Well, when we do the tree we want to do... Millennium Falcon? Death Star? We'll work on that answer for next year.
17. Which do you like best giving or receiving?
Giving. Honestly, I need nothing, I love to give.
18. What is your favorite Christmas Song?
Silent Night. I know that is a trite and pat answer, but done well, it gives me goose bumps every time.
19. Do you like candy canes?
Yes.
20. Do you like wrapping gifts?
If I have time, I love to make them very neat and they always have an extra flourish. This year as I am still trying to figure out how to schedule my new life, if it couldn't be put in an envelope or bag, it probably didn't get given.
21. Special wants for Christmas?
Peace. But then again, that's what I always want. Every time I see the first star it's what I ask for as well. This year I will add - more time with Caelen. (Then again, I should probably address that in my resolutions in a week's time.)
There it is, more about me than you probably wanted to know.
Merry Christmas, Kate
Monday, December 24, 2007
Christmas Eve Fantasy
I am lacking motivation today. It is why I am blogging at the moment instead of, well anything else.
Really, only two things I MUST do today - Go to workout at Fitness World West; buy a gift for my brother-in-law. Other than that (like the rest of the world) if I accomplish anything else, well bonus.
Oh, and there is one other thing I must accomplish, getting these freaking little candies off my desk. Excuse me for a minute... All right, that's better. They are now in the candy dish at the front desk. At least if I want them I have to move to get them.
By the way, I noted the Asian food festival we have at my Dad's every Christmas Eve. Well, it started with a burned dinner and emergency call to have Chinese food delivered like 10 years ago and then became a tradition. It is also our Easter tradition. Odd since we are neither Chinese or traditional. Tonight I will have to miss out though, I have to work at 5:45 in the morning, so I will go to bed instead.
That's all right though, I'll get to hang with my furry children AND I will not ingest all of the lovely fat and calories of Americanized Asian food. Hopefully my healthier dinner will give me visions of sweet things to dance in my head - "On Gerry, on George, on Jon and on Viggo... Dash this way, dash this way, dash this way all..." (For those keeping track that is - Gerard Butler, George Clooney, Jon Bon Jovi and Viggo Mortensen.)
As a typical woman, you know what I want them doing -
A nice massage, home cooked meal, a little deep house cleaning, ooh, oh yeah and my car could use some work. (Slow anti-freeze leak, which one of you can twist a wrench?) Mmm. Thoughts like that will keep you warm on a cold winter's night.
So, whatever your fantasy, may it come true when the big guy drops down the chimney tonight.
Just a note regarding Santa: he may be big, but he is totally in shape and has amazing heart health. This is because he is constantly in training to withstand his annual night of magical world-wide travel. there is nothing like messing with the space-time continuum to give you a workout.
Yours in merriness, Kate
PS - Here are my little elves to help motivate you (and me):
Really, only two things I MUST do today - Go to workout at Fitness World West; buy a gift for my brother-in-law. Other than that (like the rest of the world) if I accomplish anything else, well bonus.
Oh, and there is one other thing I must accomplish, getting these freaking little candies off my desk. Excuse me for a minute... All right, that's better. They are now in the candy dish at the front desk. At least if I want them I have to move to get them.
By the way, I noted the Asian food festival we have at my Dad's every Christmas Eve. Well, it started with a burned dinner and emergency call to have Chinese food delivered like 10 years ago and then became a tradition. It is also our Easter tradition. Odd since we are neither Chinese or traditional. Tonight I will have to miss out though, I have to work at 5:45 in the morning, so I will go to bed instead.
That's all right though, I'll get to hang with my furry children AND I will not ingest all of the lovely fat and calories of Americanized Asian food. Hopefully my healthier dinner will give me visions of sweet things to dance in my head - "On Gerry, on George, on Jon and on Viggo... Dash this way, dash this way, dash this way all..." (For those keeping track that is - Gerard Butler, George Clooney, Jon Bon Jovi and Viggo Mortensen.)
As a typical woman, you know what I want them doing -
A nice massage, home cooked meal, a little deep house cleaning, ooh, oh yeah and my car could use some work. (Slow anti-freeze leak, which one of you can twist a wrench?) Mmm. Thoughts like that will keep you warm on a cold winter's night.
So, whatever your fantasy, may it come true when the big guy drops down the chimney tonight.
Just a note regarding Santa: he may be big, but he is totally in shape and has amazing heart health. This is because he is constantly in training to withstand his annual night of magical world-wide travel. there is nothing like messing with the space-time continuum to give you a workout.
Yours in merriness, Kate
PS - Here are my little elves to help motivate you (and me):
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