Things I'm obsessed with these days

John Mayer's newest album, Born and Raised - for me he's the songwriter who tracks right along with where I am in life, from the self-discovery of my early 20's, to the dating and breakups in the years that followed, and now he tackles getting older.  I love his lyrics, and yes, his gravelly smoky voice.  I agree he's a polarizing figure; you either love him or you hate him.  My favorite track on this album is a tie between the "Age of Worry" and "Something Like Olivia."

The Pistol Annies - I still can't believe I hadn't heard of them before a few months ago. Do yourself a favor ladies, and check out the killer country twang, tight harmonies, and snarky girl power of their single, "Hell on Heels."

I am loving my no-frills moisturizer, CeraVe, recommended to me by my dermatologist.

Kale... who knew it was so tasty?

I have no choice but to be surrounded with Star Wars and Superheros.  I'm learning more about either than I ever wanted to. Welcome to the world of little boys!

• My new Kate Spade purse.  She's my first, despite the fact that I have been obsessing over these designer bags for the past 11 years... But who's counting? I snagged this oversized leather bag on super-sale and am pleased with my purchase.
• Bullet points
• And for my guilty summer pleasure : season 2 of the Glee Project.

Weight Loss Wednesday

Two nights ago, I dreamed I was sipping an ice-cold Coke. I could taste the sweetness and the bite of the beverage, and in my dream, drinking this drink was a covert operation- no one could know I drank it, since I have given up Cokes for my 90 Day Challenge. I woke up that morning feeling two distinct feelings. Relieved, that I hadn't caved and consumed a Coke, and Disappointed that the sugary drink experience wasn't real. And now here it is 8am and I am majorly craving one!

I haven't been taking the 90 Day Transformation Challenge as seriously as I intended, but the one goal I have stuck to is No Cokes. I still have them in my house- heck, I still have them in my fridge, but I am halfway through the Challenge, and I'm not caving in now. I went to McDonald's on my way back from Tennessee, and looked longingly at the fountain drinks. No one would ever know, I thought to myself as I looked back and forth between the Coke fountain, and the Tea. But I would know, and that's enough. So I regretfully got my iced tea that day, which didn't go nearly as well with my hamburger and fries, which made me rethink that decision as well. Kind of the point. Maybe if I have to have Coke with fast food, maybe I shouldn't have fast food at all?

The same morning I woke up from my Coke fantasy dream, I came across this verse at the top of my daily devotional:

"I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified." I Corinthians 9:27 (NLT)

All around me I am being convicted to get myself into shape. And as much as I hate running by myself, that swimsuit ain't gonna wear itself, so I have reclaimed my 90 Day Challenge goals, and am back to running 3 times a week (by myself, with my trusty stopwatch and ipod), and going to stroller class twice a week. And oh yeah... no more Cokes... even with pizza... and even with McDonald's.

Computer Complaints

2010 has brought nothing but computer woes to me it seems! First there was the massive virus, then the week spent trying how to handle that, then the week at the computer shop. Then after getting it back home again, I couldn't get my pictures to offload from my camera (something I'm doing every few days in order to have new pictures to put in blog posts) and now the computer will not even turn on!! So I am back to using my decrepit, old, broken down Mac.

I am bored not being able to blog with pictures, and I'm sure you're bored reading this. Heck, I bet you're not Even reading this! You probably took one look and scanned down and saw no pictures of Bradley so you went on to your next stop on the world wide web. Can't say as I blame you.

I am on day 4 of the Transformation Challenge, and I'm excited to have Scottie Dog and Rhonda Lu doing it with me, long distance. So far, I finally tried out a local yoga class Tuesday night, and I am still sore from it- VICTORY! and then yesterday, I resisted sharing a bowl of ice cream with Brian at 10 o'clock at night, only because I had eaten some after lunch prior that day. FAILURE! And then after I said no, I made him give me bites anyways... EVEN BIGGER FAILURE! Today I'm going running though, and tomorrow I have stroller class to look forward to.

Oh yes, and one more thing- Mom and dad are coming to visit tomorrow! I am super excited since I haven't seen them since New Year's. And hopefully I'll be blogging soon (with pictures) about how we got our computer fixed once and for all.

Run-on sentences

Today officially starts the 90 Day Transformation Challenge. Become a fan of "About Face Fitness" on Facebook to keep up with the contest and post encouraging messages! My post today said this: enjoyed my last coke yesterday... only 89 more days to go- ha ha!

I ran a 5K this past weekend, and as far as times go, it was my worst one out of the three I've done (35:16) but to be fair, I was running with a group this time, and wanted to stay with the group when I could have pushed myself at the end. Today however, I registered for the McGuire's St. Patrick's Day Run which is coming up on March 13th. I had to list a prediction time, and so I put down 33:30. If I can run that, it will be my best time, and put me towards my goal of running a 5K in under 30 minutes. In each division, the runners closest to their predicted run time win prizes.

Purple Powerhouses: Kim, Jess, and me

Kim and I before the race, wearing our matching About Face Fitness sweatshirts.

After the race Kim went to get her stuff out of my trunk and she wondered how we'd know whose sweatshirt was whose. Without missing a beat, I replied, "smell them." It's a well known fact that everyone has their own distinct scent, and so after sniffing the shirt we were each holding, we exchanged them quickly with a laugh and a, "this one's yours!"

The 90 Day Transformation Challenge

My friend Jessica is a personal trainer, and is sponsering a program called the 90 Day Transformation Challenge, meant to encourage and motivate people to take their fitness seriously by setting short term goals for themselves, and communicating with fellow challengers. Today is the cutoff for signing up for this, but it's free to sign up, and there are awesome prizes for both the locals and the out of towners, so follow the above link to her website and take the challenge with me!

Part of the challenge is to update everyone on your goals at least once a week, so I plan on using the blog as a forum for my personal progress. Below are my goals that I emailed to Jessica, copied here in black and white, so they're there for the world to see, so no backing out now!

During the next 90 days, I plan on eliminating extra calories and "processed sugar garbage" by giving up cokes entirely (for a southerner, this translates to not drinking any kind of soda or pop, for you yankees). My goals are to run a 5K in under 30 minutes, drop a full clothing size from an 8 to a 6, and lose 10 pounds at least, putting me somewhere in the 125 range. I plan on keeping up with my running 3 times a week, and stroller fit class twice a week, and I'd also like to work in some pilates and yoga here and there. Two Bible verses that I will use to motivate and encourage me are:

"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me
heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14 and

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you,
whom you have received from God? You are not your own." 1 Corinthians 6:19.

The end result of this challenge for me is that by June 1st, I will be a "hot hot mama," look good in my swimsuit, and be well on my way to my new year's goal of being in the best shape of my life.

First 5K

This morning was my first ever 5K, and I accomplished my goal- to run the entire race without stopping! My friends/neighbors Kim and Jessica and I ran it together, and we even had our own jody to sing as we ran:

Everywhere we go

people wanna know

who we are

so we tell them

we are the mamas

the hot hot mamas

That was Jess' idea, but you know me, I love anything cheesy and attention-getting! We don't have the official results, but I know we all three finished in under 35 minutes. Not bad for girls who were running 5 minute intervals just 2 months ago!! Kim could have run circles around us but she stayed with us til the end when she sprinted ahead, and Jess actually won first place for her age group after spinning for 3 hours last night for a benefit for a cancer patient!! These are 2 amazing women, and I'm so thankful to have them in my life. They are great motivators, running partners, and friends.

From the perspective of the spectator

Saturday was my first-ever marathon. The alarm went off at 5:20 am, so after getting a few piddly hours of sleep, I was up and layering on the clothes. The high for Saturday was only 71, and there was a chance of rain. Natalie and I prepared our morning beverages of choice, and we left el apartmento at ten till 6. We made a quick stop at Harris Teeter to get some fruit before meeting the rest of our friends at Katie's office building. The sun was just starting to come up by now, and we started seeing the people walking towards the park with their race numbers pinned to their shirts. Piling into one car, the 5 of us- Natalie, Katie, Mary Anna, Siebe, and myself drove over to West end, and waited for the start of the race. True, I was not running in the race, but the anticipation and anxiousness was still there. I prayed for my friends who would be running the 13.2 miles, and walked down to the starting line where my coworker Jody was slated to start in the first coral, among the fastest people. Even though they divide everyone up into the corals and space out the starting times by a few minutes, there are still so many people in each group that it made it impossible for us to find any of our friends at the start of the race. I couldn't find Jody, Mandy slid by us into a coral further up than the one she was supposed to be in, so we missed her, and even hollering Emily's name when it was her coral's turn, we still couldn't find her.

The race was on. We 5 turned and started to run the few blocks back to our car, going the opposite direction of all the runners, which prompted some strange looks from people. We joked that we were running the anti-marathon! We headed over to music row to try and catch the runners as they went up 17th and then walked a block over to catch them again as they came down 16th. Due to the space in between corals we missed Mandy on 17th, but were able to see her and the rest of them again on 16th. After parking we grabbed a prime sidewalk space and held up our posters and yelled and clapped for all the runners as they went by. The poster that got the most attention by far was one that read, "Emily, CHOCOLATE is just around the corner!" The women running by were particularly amused by this, and as they passed by they would hoop and holler. It was so much more fun than I'd imagined, encouraging strangers as they passed us. You saw so many interesting outfits- guys dressed like Superman, girls in tutus, even a Blue man drinking cans of beer while he ran! We took pictures stretching on the sidewalk with our posters, meant to be a tableau of "fans getting ready for the race."

The sun was shining by now and it had started to warm up- it was the perfect day for the race. It was only 10am, but we all felt like it was late afternoon because we'd been up and going for so long! After seeing our friends on Music Row, we hopped back in the car and booked it over to the stadium to catch the end of the race. Unfortunately, due to road closings, and lack of parking places, we circled around downtown a bit and ended up missing all of them crossing the finish line. A little disappointing and anti-climactic, but oh well. We celebrated with a delicious lunch at Macallister's and even got free desert out of the deal! By the time lunch was over, I felt like I had run a marathon, I was so tired! So I rewarded myself with a power nap when I got home.

Congrats Em and Mandy!!!- we are so proud of you, and look forward to running with you next year- either that, or Siebe and I decided we would be holding up posters that read: "We heart single, males runners ages 25-32" because I have never seen so many attractive, athletic men in one place!

The road to the Gym is paved with good intentions

I got up this morning with the intent to go to my Thursday morning spin class at the Y, keeping in line with my 3-for-3 workouts this week so far. With "dad gum it's Christmas" still going full swing at work, I've got to stay in the gym in order to allow myself to eat all the tasty treats baked lovingly by my coworkers! Well, the alarm went off, I sang along to Beyonce on my clock radio while I got dressed, and like a pack mule, grabbed everything I would need for the rest of the day. Or so I thought. On my way out the door, I hung my clothes on the back of one of our dining room chairs and put on my coat. Then I picked up my pink gym bag, and out the door I went. Still dark, I pulled up to the Y and began to gather my things to head inside.

purse: check.
gym back: check.
Work clothes on hanger: ... I scan the back seat...
Work clothes on hanger... I scan the front seat... and begin to get frustrated...

You can see where this is going. It's going to me driving all the way back to the apartment (still in the dark, and mourning the loss of sleep), and getting ready sans workout. You can imagine my frustration when I came in and hung my coat on the same chair that my work clothes were mistakingly hung.

So what did I do to make up for the missed spinning class this morning? I got ready early, made myself some coffee, and enjoyed it in my pink Christmas travel mug along with a 7 layer cookie on my way to work!

"I wanna quit the gym!!!"

Day 4 of the Darcy Plan, and Lana, Sarah, and I are going strong. I couldn't help but giggle this morning as I remembered a Friends episode where Chandler wants to cancel his gym membership. His catch phrase is a panicked, "I wanna quit the gym!" Here ya go, for your recollection enjoyment:

Monica: (Picking up a card from Chandler`s wallet.) My God! Is this a gym card?

Chandler: Oh yeah, gym member. I try to go four times a week, but I`ve missed the last 1200 times.

Ross: So why don`t you quit?

Chandler: You don`t think I`ve tried? You think I like having 50 dollars taken out of my bank account every month? No, they make you go all the way down there! Then they use all of these phrases and peppiness to try and confuse you! Then they bring out Maria.

Ross: Who is Maria?

Chandler: Oh Maria. You can`t say no to her, she`s like this lycra spandex covered gym treat.

Ross: You need me to go down there with you and hold your hand?

Chandler: No!

Ross: So you`re strong enough to face her on your own?

Chandler: Oh no, you`ll have to come.

[Scene: Chandler`s gym, He and Ross are there to cancel his membership.]

Ross: Whoa-whoa-whoa, hey! Now remember what we talked about, you gotta be strong.

Chandler: Yes. (In a stronger voice) Yes!

Ross: One more time, "Hey, don`t you want a washboard stomach and rock hard pecs?"

Chandler: No! I want a flabby gut and saggy man breasts!

Ross: Good! That`s good!

Chandler: Okay. (They go inside) (To the guy at the desk) I wanna quit the gym.

Gym Employee: You wanna quit?

Chandler: I wanna quit the gym.

Gym Employee: You do realize that you won`t have access to our new full service Swedish spa.

Chandler: (He turns to Ross and Ross makes a "Be strong" sound.) I wanna quit the gym.

Gym Employee: Okay, Dave in the membership office, handles quitters.

Remembering this episode this morning and recounting the story to Lana while we walked to the locker room with hot coffee in our hands was apparently too much to ask. We both spilled scalding coffee on ourselves in the process of laughing. Hmm. Must remember to handle one thing at a time. Spinning? Check. Coffee? Check. Walking and talking? Not so much. Oh well- guess I have my trusty gym membership to assist in my eye and hand coordination technique.

the anti-laborious weekend

This weekend was a long one- and by long I mean both in reference to the extra day off we had for Labor Day but also long in that not much happened and it was relaxed and lazy. I spent most of the weekend in bed reading or sleeping thanks to my seasonal allergies (or was it the air quality, MA?), so thank you, Tennessee for that. You know me, I had plans out the wazoo but canceled many of them in order to rest up and listen to my body for a change instead of needlessly running myself ragged.

Some highlights of the weekend included:

*Going to the Ravenwood-Franklin football game Friday night- my first football game of the season, and I met a really sweet lady who sat next to me. She goes to Brentwood Baptist, and when she remarked that she didn’t know the song the marching band was playing at halftime, I told her it was Brad Paisley’s newest song since she goes to BBC and she had told me she’d never heard of Brad Paisley before he sang at church the Sunday before. Ravenwood lost. Boo.

*Finally watching The Graduate to see what all the fuss was about

*Laying out at the Aspen Grove (aka @ss grabber’s) pool with the gals

*UT winning their first game

*Kentucky losing their first game

*The wine & cheese party/ movie night at Lana’s. What could be better than some 2 buck Chuck, really “gouda” cheese, and swooning over Mr. Darcy?

*Speaking of Darcy, FR Natalie has invited us to be a part of her and Emily’s new workout and eating regiment- The Darcy Plan. This started yesterday for Sarah, Lana, and me.

*Joining the Y- pretty soon I’ll be fit as a fiddle. I don’t really know what this expression means, but I’m sure anyone with some free time on their hands and a hankering for useless knowledge could google this and share with the rest of us.

Happy Tuesday, Kids!