After a day of rest yesterday I am happy to say that my weight went down a pound! Yup, just as I thought. Got to sleep in a bit then got up and had to rushrush to make something to eat, get Katie up, etc. I decided this morning to take another rest day from the gym/exercise today, since we didn’t have a babysitter for Katie and I still felt like I needed an extra day off. I feel SO very accomplished from today tho!! YIPPEEE.

Today I… cleaned house (like usual), did my college quiz, worked more my new TUMBLR layout, chopped/steamed yellow squash and also my ground turkey for the week, and went ahead and cooked my dinner for this evening !!!!! Brad slept into the afternoon … haha. In fact, by the time he got up, Katie had already went down for her nap. Later after Katie’s snack, we headed out into the EXTREME HEAT to get a few things from Wal-Mart. I got a card for my best friend – that I posted about, who lost her Grandma a few days ago. Also, new light bulbs for the dining room ceiling fan, toothpaste and lovely smelling shaving lotion for meee, carpet fresh, and a few other things. Came back and had a protein bar before I fed Katie dinner then sat down to study scriptures and got my lesson ready for tomorrow for my class of kiddos! I put together a little activity for them and they will go crazy over it, since it’s something to do other than just sit and read scriptures, lol.

A very good day! And I feel good tonight, woot! I’m gonna revamp one of my older layouts and use it, since it’s so cute and I want my smaller fonts again. Listening to Incubus and about to go get a shower then fiddle with Tumblr and work on revamping that layout of mine for the rest of the evening and I’m excited about it!!!!! =) Have an awesome night everyone!!! I am so thankful, grateful, and blessed!!!

So, it’s currently 10:40pm and over 90 degrees still!

I did not feel well this morning. For the past 3..4 days? when I wake up in the morning and drink water and have my protein shake – I get really, really, really cold. Something is deffo up with me. Kept going to warm then later on to freezing. I took my temp this morning and it was actually low. Something has stirred up my already sensative immune system and it started earlier this week and the exercise only made the situation worse. Katie drove me crazy today. Mom called me this afternoon and said that she couldn’t keep Katie tonight or tomorrow because her apartment is over crowded, due to having to take everything out of her kitchen to get her NEW kitchen!

I felt a *little* better this afternoon and feel alright tonight. We went out for groceries and then put Katie to bed after we got back. Brad and I went to go pet the outside kitties and my neighbor came out at the same time to say that she just saw a HUUUUGE raccoon on her porch and she is afraid it will hurt the babies or the momma cat, so we’re gonna try to keep an eye out.

Almost to 2 weeks with doing well with my food intake… holding steady, BUT seems it doesn’t matter how well I do with my food, if something messes up my immune system then the “inflammation” weight comes back. I’m up 2 pounds because of whatever is going on. If I push myself too hard, eat the “wrong” foods that trigger that inflammation, or get sick then the weight goes up no matter my caloric intake. Oh well, just gonna keep steady and keep waiting for August to get here THEN I can really get this inflammation under control for good.

Time to relax! Have a great night.

I went back to sleep after Brad left this morning, but for the past few mornings when I go to take a nap, I haven’t slept as long and I feel WORSE after the nap, plus have bad dreams. I don’t remember the dreams exactly, but after I wake up I just feel uneasy. Sucks. I got back up and went to get Katie up. She threw up in her bed sometime during the night, so I had to strip the bed, etc etc and give her a bath. She either got sick because she ate too much last night at my neighbor’s (and she did), or else she may be starting or have a tummy bug. My tummy feels a bit uneasy tonight too. Gah… I really, really hope she just got sick because she ate too much and that we’re not gonna be hit with a tummy bug. Guess we’ll just have to see. Umm, did laundry this morning and just wanted to fiddle around online so that’s what I did. Katie went down for her nap and I eventually went over to my neighbor’s and cleaned her house a little and went to socialize/pet the bitty kitties outside! I was not feeling the best throughout the mid-morning into the afternon, but felt a little better before the gym. I also though I might feel that way from running more this week, or just from the exercise but I’m dreadfully thinking this *may* be the start of a tummy bug for us. Please, please, please no.

Brad called me before he left work and said that the guys at his workplace went to look at our car and determined that our problem was not the leaky hose, but indeed the radiator itself. Yeah, that figures. Brad was not happy….. he came home and got on the phone with Carmax, asking about possibly buying from them. Took Katie to my neighbor’s and he stayed on the phone a long time, so we got to the gym late but I was planning on not going full force tonight exercise-wise anyway. SUMMARY >>>

warmup, elliptical, 10 minutes. 1.35 miles, 111 calories
abs & back – till max
glute – 3X, 90lbs, 10 reps
calf extensions – 3X, 90lbs, 10 reps
torso rotation – 3X, 70lbs, 10 reps
summit trainer – 21 minutes, 1.12 miles, 217 calories

I didn’t really feel like exercising, but I wanted to do a bit of something. I thought about doing around ~30 minutes for my cardio, but I got on the summit and decided after a bit on that machine that I was done. Even though I did not do as much, I still sweated more than usual. Maybe sweating out toxins from whatever is going on with me? Plus, that time of the month is just getting started and that may have a factor in all this too. We talked to the front desk people for a bit and left early! Went over to Wal-Mart to pick up a few things and I got my usual protein bar, plus an energy drink. Came back and had a text from my best friend, who I’ve known since I was 11 (she lives back in Alabama).. that her Grandma passed away today. That makes me so sad! I got really close to her Grandma when I was in middle school and even into high school. =( RIP Lois… she was such a good person. She is at peace now. Just trying to comfort my friend as much as I can in this hard time. Praying for her and her family to have strength and comfort.

I’m so glad tomorrow is a rest day. Guess I’ll see how I feel Saturday and determine whether or not to go to the gym. We may go to a carlot Saturday too, depending on finances and such. Well, I’m probably gonna be up later tonight, since I am not sleepy one bit. Just more time to chill out and enjoy the quiet! I’m so thankful for everyone in my life. Thankful to Heavenly Father has given me so much.

Tomorrow starts the HEAT WAVE here…. we’re gonna have really hot temps for about a WEEK. With the heat index over 100. YIKES. I know a handful of states are gonna go through the same thing. Insanity.

Happy hump day! I stepped over to talk to my neighbor for a few minutes this morning and she told me about this wicked guy and how messed up he was… it was a story she was gonna watch on a religious channel. Anyway, I came back home and was really MOVED for some reason, thinking about that and The Gospel. I started crying and just felt like I used to… really moved spiritually. Might sound corny but it’s an amazing feeling. I used to feel that way pretty much every day and so yeah! Seems my work spiritually is improving! =)

My morning: yup… college work! pretty much took up the rest of the time until lunch. Katie had lunch then we settled down for her before nap routine of her little “scripture study”. and she loves it! I’m so glad too. She wants to pray more often and that just makes me super happy. I went over to my neighbor’s after lunch and helped her with a new online project that she took on with pinterest. I also went outside and petted the bitty KITTENS again! SQUEEEEEEE. We thought there were 5 kittens, BUT there are actually SIX. AWWW. Came back to do the usual rush rush to get everything done before the GYM. Brad was late coming home, since he went to pick up a part for the car – one of the hoses has been leaking so we’re gonna get that fixed. Well, we hope. HOPEFULLY it’s just the leaky hose… either that or the radiator. Ugh.. which we do NOT WANT. DO NOT WANT!!! Brad came home and we tried to get to the gym so we could GET IT IN! SUMMARY >>>

warmup, elliptical, 10 minutes, 1.30 miles, 111 calories
bicep curls (pulley) – 3X, 20lbs, 10 reps
tricep pulldown (pulley) – 3X, 20lbs, 10 reps
back/chest pulldown – 3X, 40-50lbs, 10 reps
shoulder press – 3X, 20-30lbs, 10 reps
virtual bike – 28 minutes, 6.91 miles, 257 calories
treadmill – 22 minutes, 1.67 miles, 205 calories

Didn’t have as much time, BUT I feel like I got a great workout. I felt sortof “off” and a little sick during the upper body stuff, so Brad and I split a small protein bar before I hit the cardio. Seemed to help a bit. Brad got an orange pushup protein shake and I had a little bit of that… it was SO GOOD. Brad says that is his favorite! Minute is the pomegrante bliss….. yummy. We hung out and talked to some people then came on back! We’re both in a good mood and I felt great after eating my turkey mix and just finished my late night snack. This is my FAVORITE time… just relaxing before bed.

I am so, so, so grateful. Just… so blessed. Counting my blessings every single day. I will be positive, I will try to be a better person day by day. And I want to inspire others to do the same!!! =)

This week is moving right along! Ummm, once again this post prob won’t be much since I had a simple day. This morning I got college work done and my neighbor wanted to talk to me for a few minutes, so I went to visit her then came back to finish my work. Fiddled around until lunch time and put Katie down. Went back over to my neighbors – and there is an outside kitty my neighbor feeds and the cat had another litter of kitties a few weeks ago and they are old enough to walk around, play, etc and she wants me to help socialize them, to get them ready to go to an animal place where they will help find them homes. SO! I went outside and sat down… it’s a tiny space because their behind the bush right by my neighbor’s porch, but I kneeled down and there are 5 kitties! They mostly hissed and made the spitting noises at me, but one them didn’t care if I touched him/her! I petted that babe for a long time and picked it up. AWEEEEEE. Eventually came back and got ready ready ready for GYMMMMMM. SUMMARY >>>

warmup, elliptical, 10 minutes, 1.49 miles, 104 calories
leg extensions – 3X, 85lbs, 10 reps
back & abs – till max
steppers – 1X, 1 minute
leg press – 3X, 230lbs, 10 reps
calf extensions – 3X, 90lbs, 10 reps
back extension – 3X, 190lbs, 10 reps
elliptical cross trainer (sitting) – 20 minutes, 4.23 miles, 223 calories
treadmill – 25 minutes, 2.04 miles, 267 calories

It was pretty busy when we went over to the weight training / leg machines, so I just did what was open. The girl that we talk a lot with was back working at the gym tonight! Her fiance was the one we talked to last night. Talked to her a little bit. Ummm, finished up, had a protein bar, hung out then came back home. On the way home, Brad noticed the car was about to run hot, so he drove slowly home and eventually found out (thanks to my cousin) that there is a leaky hose, so he’s gonna see about getting it fixed tomorrow. I bathed and put Katie to bed, since he was tending to the car. Had my dinner + snack and feeling content!

I’ve been eating a naner + almond butter for my morning snack, but I think I need to change that since I felt pretty “off” just before lunch… change it up again, to where I have a good amount of protein in that snack and I prob don’t need the naner at that time. I felt like I needed carbs a bit after my lunch, so I fixed a 1/4 cup oats with protein powder and that seemed to help. We’ll see if my weight moves or not in the morning, if not then I’ll know that oats interfere with the inflammation stuff going on. Just gonna keep on keepin on!!!!!!!

Have an excellent night!

HAPPY MONDAY!! Feeling happy tonight! =) Ummmmmmm, I got up, had my protein shake, took a nap, got college work done, then studied the driving manual so I can get my learner’s permit… I’m about 10 years behind, LOL. Ah well. Washed and dryed some clothes. Katie was good this morning… playing with her toys and “feeding” her babies. Heh. She ate lunch then we studied her scriptures that she has to learn for church this coming Sunday! Gonna study the 2 scriptures with her every day before her nap. She went down and I ate lunch and did this-that. My neighbor was out running errands but came back later, so I went to talk with her for a bit then came back and did prep usual stuff for……….. GYM! I was so excited to get back, since we didn’t get to go Saturday!!!!!! WHEEEEEEEE! STATS >>>

warmup, elliptical, 10 minutes, 1.30 miles, 112 calories
tricep extensions – 3X, 40lbs, 15 reps
bicep curls (pulley) – 3X, 20lbs, 10 reps
rotary cuff – 3X, 10lbs, 10 reps
tricep pulldown (pulley) – 3X, 20-30lbs, 10 reps
pectoral fly – 3X, 40lbs, 10 reps
squat jumps – till max, 40
** freeeee weights **
bent over row with tricep kickbacks, upright rows, shoulder press, pinwheel – 1X, 15lbs, 10 reps
** /end free weights **
stair climber – 23 minutes, 68.3 floors, 202 calories
treadmill – 25 minutes, 2.04 miles, 265 calories

Wooooooohooo! Did even better on the treadmill!! =) After I was done, I had my usual protein AWESOME bar and also got to talk to one of the girls that works at the front desk for a long while before and after my workout. She’s really cool too. We hung around and then got to talk to another girl that works there – her husband, who happens to be a personal trainer (at another gym) but he works out at our gym. Really enjoyed talking to him!! Talked about their upcoming wedding in September then he asked me and Brad about our diet and training. We stayed later than intended lol but headed out and went to Wal-Mart to get more Sobe 0 calorie flavored water, PINK LADY apples, mouth wash, floss, and Brad got some liquid protein.. since the personal trainer told him he needed a LOT more protein added to his diet so he’s trying to work that out. I already get a lot but I’m gonna calculate it (as soon as I post this LOL) and see exactly. I’m soooooooooooo excited because my current food plan is working SO GREAT and I’ve stayed on track and the weight is going down, down and I feel steady so I am GOOD TO GO.

YESSSSSSSSSSSSS. Can you tell I’m excited?! I’m stoked to watch the latest Secret Life in the morning too!!!! EEE!!! Well, time to fix my usual late night snack and calculate my protein then get ready for bed. This evening has gone by SO FAST and I can’t believe it’s after 11pm. I’m so thankful, grateful, and blessed for my life. Thankful for The Gospel and how it has CHANGED MY LIFE. I’m thankful that I have finally figured out my health problems and how to fix them. August – December is gonna ROCK ROCK ROCK ROCK for me because that will be when I hit it hard to get lean and by the New Year I will be ready to take 2013 on full speed.

PEACE AND LOVE !!!! Believe in yourself… change your life to be positive, eat clean foods, drink plenty of water, center on healthy and watch your whole world change for the better. That’s what happened to me and I’m getting back to that – just have to clear up these dental probs! Goodnight! =)

Sunday SUMMARY :
– woke up at 5AM, went back to sleep… Brad was gonna wake me up at 6:15AM but went ahead and got up at 6AM
– church went very well! I love The Gospel. I’m so thankful for everything Heavenly Father has given me.
– Brad dyed my hair dark blonde (again) after Katie went down for nap
– Brad and Katie got to take loooong naps & what did I have to do?…
– attempt to stay awake and work on my college paper outline
– AND I GOT IT DONE, WHEEEE
– Katie got back up and I dragged out some other toys for her to play with that she hasn’t in a long time, which seemed to keep her entertained.
– had a snack, cooked our dinner for later
– wanted to go visit Mom, so woke Brad up at 6pm and took off on my bike!! =)

I miss going and visiting with my Mom once a week like I used to do. I’ll try to do it on Sunday afternoons when I can. Mom said her blood pressure has been really high all day and when she told me the numbers!!!!!!! 230/140. WHAAAAAAAAT. She said this morning when she sat down stuff was floating. Um yea, Mom, that’s NOT GOOOOOOD. Me and my Aunt told her to CALL THE DOC AND MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. Those numbers = death!! SHEESH. Rode back home and now I’m eating my turkey mix! NOM NOM. Pretty soon I’ll eat my usual late night apple/yogurt/protein powder snackie. Brad might help me put the highlights in my hair tonight!!

I feel content. Bring on this week!!! =)

“come with me… there’s a world out there that we should see, take my hand! close your eyes! with you right here I’m a rocketeer!” =)

I got up this morning and had my protein shake before getting ready to get Katie up and also fix my breakfast #2! Ate then started to clean, clean house. Later on I called Mom to see about her babysitting Katie today, but she said no because she was feeling stressed and her apartment was hot. Of course I really wanted to go to the gym… but decided to make the best out of it! Instead, Brad & Katie got ready to go swimming and I decided I was gonna run on the treadmill, go for a ride outside on my BIKE, and then go join them swimming for my total workout for the day! STATS >>

treadmill @ home – 4,162 steps, 2.109 miles, 30:12 minutes, 323 calories
bike ride outside – 35 minutes
swimming – ~1 hour or so

Shew, yea it’s different running on the treadmill at home compared to the one at the gym. My heart rate got higher faster, so I would change speeds to try to keep it in a range. Jammed out to my music with my headphones. Got an awesome sweat!!! Hopped off, drank a bunch of water, got my bike ready – including my keys, sunglasses, and still had my headphones on with the music! I was stoked to get to go out and ride. It was fun!!!! Came back, drank more water, got my swimsuit on then went to swim with my little family! We had a good time and came back at 6pm, so I could wash Katie off and we could all eat. I had a protein bar and then we got dressed and headed out and about! Went to our usual places, lol… Whole Foods first! I got a naner and Justin’s chocolate almond butter to put on the naner. We sat outside and I had that, Brad had a Clif carrot cake bar, and Katie had a fruit strip… err whatever their called! The fruit leathers or w/e, lol. It was nice outside. Last stop – can ya guess? Yup, Wal-Mart. I got a new shirt, CUTE sunglasses, and we got a handful of other things.

By the time we got home, I could tell Katie was reallllllllly tired! Got her dressed for bed and put her down. Heh. I ate my apple/yogurt/protein powder/almond butter snack and got a bath to wash my hair, shave, and all that good stuff.

Gotta get to bed soon so we can get up and go to church! I’m so blessed. I just think of where Brad and I are now, compared to years ago. This awesome new job he just got, we’re part of a gym AND I have equipment at home too!!! I never thought that would be me. To say I’m thankful doesn’t even cover it! I owe everything I AM and EVER SHALL BE to my Heavenly Father!!!!!! =)

Happy Friday!!! Short post tonight, since I really don’t have much to say about today! I worked on college this morning and then took a small nap in the afternoon. My neighbor had company so I didn’t go over there today. Went out for groceries this evening and also bought another workout top and a tank to go under one of my shirts. I planned out my meals and STAYED ON TRACK today, yes! I just ate my usual night apple/protein powder snack and I feel really good and relaxed. It’s a lovely feeling!!!

It was lightning on the way home and it’s still raining out there now… looks like it might rain tomorrow too. I was hoping to go come back after the gym and take our bikes out for a spin, since it’s been too long and our bikes are feeling lonely!!

NOTHING like relaxing on a Friday night, yea yea! =) Hope everyone has an awesome night.

Wellllll, I went back to sleep this morning for a bit after Brad left for work and the maintenance man woke me up calling as he unlocked the door and kept calling till I got up, hah. He had to spray paint a few areas where there were water stains from leaks they just recently fixed. After he left, I got breakfast ready, etc etc. A bit later my neighbor came over because I thought a lady from another church was gonna drop by, since she was supposed to but never showed? I love my church but was interested to see what they had to say but *shrug*. My neighbor went home and Katie watched a cartoon before lunch. I folded laundry then went to help my neighbor clean before coming back to do this-that before my favorite time of day: GYM! >>>

warmup, elliptical, 10 minutes, 1.34 miles, 109 calories
torso rotation – 3X, 50lbs, 10 reps
glute – 3X, 90lbs, 10 reps
leg press – 3X, 230lbs, 10 reps
calf extensions – 3X, 90lbs, 10 reps
back extensions – 3X, 190lbs, 10 reps
back & abs – till max
lunges & misc – till max
elliptical cross trainer (standing) – 17 minutes, 3.14 miles, 200 calories
TREADMILL!! – 28 minutes, 2.11 miles, 270 calories

WOOT, I was already sweating a good amount when I switched to CARDIO. My legs are a little sore from all the running this week but I LOVE ITTTTTT. I felt good running! Had a few smoothie samplers here and there then ate a protein bar after I was done! We talked to one of the guys that works there for a bit and then headed out towards home. I gave Katie a bath, since Brad had a lot of college to finish then I rocked and put her to bed. Ate my turkey mix, took a bath and just finished my apple/protein powder AWESOME snack!

What sucks is I have done EXCELLENT with my calories / food intake the last few days but my weight has stayed the same. It seems like with this inflammation in my body, if I eat certain things my weight will not BUDGE. Take that food out of my diet and I will lose a pound a day, so luckily I know what might be doing it so we’ll see what happens.

Looking forward to the weekend!!! I’m so thankful, grateful, and blessed for this day and for The Gospel!!! Goodnight everyone.