Sunday, September 25, 2011

Workng out

First of all I am so excited after over 2 weeks of not being able to go work out at the Y I get to go back on Monday :). I am so ready to be back, I have a goal of losing 10 more pounds before Oct. 28 we have  a dinning out with the army, it is like a ball just a little less formal so 10 less pounds would make me look a lot better in my dress. Still have a ways to go till I hit my weight goal, but I am losing at a pretty steady pace, and I didn't gain back any weight while I was sick, can't ask for much more than that.

This weekend  I was talking to a friend who just couldn't understand how I could be so focused at the gym, knowing what to do and not getting lost in the many machines they have available. There are a few things that help me stay focused in the gym. One is thankfully the Y branch closest to us is fairly small so it is not overwhelming and still has the stuff you need. Two is my husband, he knows his way around a gym and any exercise or muscle group I want to work he can help me. Then lastly is my friend Google, I figured out my overall goals and using different key words  I found a workout plan that works for me. This is what I am using at the moment  http://www.gymprofessor.com/gym-routines-toning-women.html I really like it and it eases you in to working out, so if you have been away from the gym for awhile ( like I had been) it is a great way to get back in to the groove.

Before you head to the gym figure out what are your fitness goals. Mine for example are loosing weight, muscle toning, and being healthy and in shape. Then figure out how many days a week you can work out. For me I can only do Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the gym. Next to Google, start using key words to help you find a work out for you. Then sit down and make sure you know how to do each thing correctly and come up with an alternative in case your gym doesn't have the machine/equipment you need. Then armed with your list so you don't forget anything head to the gym and get started. :)


I do the full toning work out 3 days a week, and cardio ( for me walking on the treadmill) I up my weight and walking pace when I feel like things are too easy, great rule of thumb if it is to easy then it is not going to do what you want it to do.  I do abs once a week at home, and may up it to 2x here soon.

So with a little bit of planning and some help from Google you can use your time at the gym well. So much time can be wasted wandering from machine to machine and not doing enough reps of an exercise a good plan can help with that and make working out at the gym a breeze and the most beneficial.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

The joys of kidney stones

Last weekend I found out I have a large kidney stone stuck in my kidney. So I have been couch ridden mostly since then. So thankful for the internet to entertain me.

So because of all of this I have had to stay away from the gym for almost 2 week now. I was not happy with this I was doing so good, and I will probably have to start at the last 4 week session again. So this morning with fear that I had gained weight and the hope I was at least staying the weight I was I stepped on the scale... I am DOWN 4 pounds since Friday. Since I can only eat ramen, think that is the key. My new weight loss plan, forget the gym just eat ramen for 2 meals a day ;)

Sunday, September 11, 2011

A decade

A decade ago the biggest tragedy hit the United State. A decade ago thousands lost their lives, mothers, fathers, children, husbands and wives. A decade ago heroic men and women risked their lives to save others. A decade ago a group of ordinary people became hero's as they brought the hijacked plane they were on down in a Pennsylvanian field.

I remember being asleep and my little brother yelling " we are being attacked" down the stairwell. I ran upstairs. I watched as the second plane crashed  and the towers both fall . I remember sitting in shock thinking is this really happening here, to us. I was in High school at the time of the attacks, after sitting and crying with my family I headed off to school. The halls were empty every classroom had the same footage and on going coverage of the attacks. I found my best friend Megan told her I was going back home I couldn't watch the coverage anymore and classes were obviously not happening today.

As I headed home I saw signs for different churches that were holding prayer for the attacks that day. As was the story across the nation. I went to church that evening and have never seen it so full, strangers holding hands all praying for the same thing.


It is hard to believe it has been ten years. The new Tower is well on it's way to being built, there are memorials in the field and at ground zero.

Ten years ago as a high school student I didn't think I would have sent my husband off to war and seen most of my friends send theirs off as well.  I didn't think that my 5 year old  would know what and where Iraq and Afghanistan are and how to say their names. Ten years ago I didn't think I would be sharing the events of 9/11 with my son ( in a way a 5 year old can understand) to help him understand why daddy has to leave in a few months.

Today as I remember the events of that  morning the things that stand out to me the most is the passengers on flight 93. They banded together, and prevented the plane from reaching it's intended target. And the first responders, many who weren't even on duty, they ran in to those burning crumbling buildings saving as many as they could. Many lost their lives trying to help others get out. Many were there for days and weeks sifting through the rubble hoping to find what they could. Those two groups are the hero's of that day, in my opinion.

Amazing how one event changes the lives of all Americans. We will never forget and we will not stop praying for the troops overseas till they all come home.

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Homeschool in the ER

On Wednesday this week i went in to the Emergency care clinic with what I was certain was a kidney stone. They deemed I was not in "enough" pain to run any scans saw a had a kidney infection and sent me on my way.

Yesterday I was not feeling any better so we called the advice nurse and she suggested going back to the Emergency care clinic since there were no open appointments. We decided instead to take the trip to the ER since we were not happy with the care at the ECC.

While at the ER they ran a scan and found out there was a massive kidney stone. So while we were there for MANY hours my 5 year old got to learn how to put in an IV, and what it does. How a CT scan works and see the inside of Mommy's body and all sorts of cool stuff. Who says you can't learn through life experiences.