Tag Archives: gym

Life as it’s been

13 Tuesday Dec 2011

Posted by in Life

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Well, hello there! November went by in a hurry. Christmas will be here in a week and a half and our Christmas tree still isn’t up. It won’t be going up either. Nor will Christmas cards make the rounds this year. I know, what the heck right? I’m not sure what it is but the time has just gone in a flash. Ever since the end of October it seems like our household has been busy busy. Me taking on a life at the gym and trying to eat healthier, which means planning more meals and eating at home than just popping by a drive-thru. My husband, well, he’s been working on the hallway (new flooring, trim, doors and painting) and he’s had several overtime weekend days or extended hours during the week. Yup, we’ve been busy!

I made it almost the whole year posting at least once a week for the WordPress Post a Week Challenge and I’ve since bombed. As I said mentioned above everything’s good, nothing horrible happened, to explain for my departure.

At the end of October I met with my nurse practitioner for an appointment and she lit the fire to join a gym. I was hesitant since my previous romps at a gym didn’t last long and locked into a contract for a year the money went down the drain; however, I found a gym and I love the place. ::cough:: I enjoy going! Unlike the few gyms I’ve joined in the past that felt like a warehouse full of equipment, smelling like B.O. and music pumping through the speakers loud enough that you cannot hear myself think. This new place for me is great. I call it the Whole Foods of gyms. I also purchased several sessions with a personal trainer to work on my knee clicking issue, which still hasn’t improved but is only annoying and doesn’t hurt thank goodness. Oh, I didn’t tell you about the knee thing–my left knee doesn’t track well and only if I go up stairs does it click. Or if I do a good, decent squat.

Before I go, I need to pat myself on the back about Thanksgiving. Friends, we had a feast, and it was pretty much a healthy one! Jon’s parents came, my mom and her husband, my brother and then Jon and I were all present. Everything was ready to go, as much that could be prepped ahead of time was done but the morning of the bird was a tad still frosty in the cavity so I had to give it a “water spa”…

turkey_water_bath

I wasn’t happy about setting the turkey in my sink because then I had to decontaminate the sink with bleach, but oh well. It didn’t take long and I was able to finally mix up some softened butter and a variety of herbs where I rubbed it under the skin and all over the top. I started out grossed by the neck and other little organ gifts to pull out, but after that I got to know my turkey. I even made it wave to Jon while I was basting it with butter! <– dork

turkey_in_an_oven

Look at that pretty turkey!

Call me silly, but I was excited to use my new All-Clad roaster I bought for a great deal through CHEFS Catalog. My husband said the pan weighed more than the 19lb bird. Which he’s probably right but oh well, I’ll have this roaster forever.

The Menu:

  • Butter herb roasted turkey
  • Garlic mashed potatoes with pan gravy
  • Roasted veggies: Brussel sprouts, parsnips, carrots, new potatoes and sweet potatoes
  • Sautéed green beans with shallots, garlic and slivered almonds
  • Homemade stuffing with apples and onion
  • Whole wheat rolls

Dessert:

  • Apple pie – Jon’s mom
  • Pumpkin pie – My mom
  • Cheesecake w/ gingersnap crust & macerated cherries for topping – Me

No, the dessert wasn’t low-calorie but I had only a small piece of my cheesecake that day because I.was.exhausted. I have a lot to improve with my cheesecake making skills, but that’s okay, as long as it’s edible I don’t care how it looks right now.

gourds

thanksgiving_table

Note Chester’s tail in the last photo there?

I went with a simple dining table and a centerpiece that didn’t cost a ton. Everyone had a great time and next year I need to plan for some leftover stuffing waffles.

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving and the holidays have been merry and bright for you as well! So tell me, what’s new? I’m behind with the blogworld.

*All photos taken with cell phone.

Gearing up for FITNESS

08 Friday May 2009

Posted by in Health & Fitness

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About a week ago I made a conscious and serious attempt to get myself started on a workout regimen.  For the past month I have watched what I place in my mouth on a daily basis, even if David and I go out to eat with family at yummy restaurants.  Even with all that has gone on lately in my life, I have lost three pounds and I am very excited!  One thing I have realized from my past attempts, if I try and slack a little I don’t fall off the wagon, the wagon falls apart out from under me and I go face first into the dirt.

In an effort to keep me motivated, a few weeks ago I nabbed a pair of New Balance tennis shoes (original price $84.95, clearanced to $59.50) and I walked home with them at around $26.80 due to my coupons at DSW!  I also picked up two pairs of Adidas capri workout pants from Kohl’s that I’m enjoying.  I also found a heart rate monitor and I love it.  In a past post I mentioned I was looking for a good model and I was told about Polar.  So during my recent visit to Dick’s Sporting Goods I purchased a Polar F4 model in a light blue color.  It’s very easy to use, beeps when I fall below my target heart rate and keeps track of my numbers on my handy little watch.  Some argue that a heart rate monitor is a waste of money, but for me I think it’s a pretty good investment.  I admitted to myself a long time ago that I was probably not working out as hard as I thought I was nor did I know exactly how much harder I needed to push myself.  Problem solved!  Another neat little feature on the watch, it will remind me every three days that I need to workout if I haven’t logged workout time.  Fantastic, right?!

To add to my efforts, Jon and I decided to join a gym together.  This place is amazing!  Some amenities of our new after work pit stop:

  • Cozy and inviting entry way with a fireplace, large plasma TV, bistro tables, leather chairs and couches to lounge on and Wi-Fi
  • Executive showers: private showers (no school gym showers here!), shampoo, conditioner, warm towels, lotions, emergency tampons for the ladies, Q-tips, cotton balls, self-tanner packets, number punch pad locks for lockers – no padlocks needed, blowdryers provided (which I never use on curly hair)
  • Three studios for the 60 classes/week from yoga, cycling, Body Pump, Body Combat, pilates (mat and on reformer machines), dance, etc
  • Eucalyptus steam rooms and hot tubs
  • Provide free to parents of children a Kids Club and a Kids Movie Theater is coming
  • Over 100 top-of-the-line cardio & strength equipment
  • Views of the Rocky Mountains
  • Coming Soon!  Free computer lab to members and tanning beds

This place is fantastic!  When we took the tour the owner actually showed us around.  For an hour and a half he took us through the entire facility, answered all of our questions, pointed out the new stuff coming in and was extremely patient.  Another amazing feature about the location, there are no contracts!

Along with signing the contract, $50 was deducted since we didn’t need/use the six-day guest pass, our sign-up fee was dropped from $150/person to $75/person since the gym was running an April Tax Return Special on half-off sign up fees.  Oh, and I’m not done!  Jon and I both get a free one-hour session with a personal trainer and we were given a $50 gift card to a spa in the area.  Of course Jon handed it right over to me because a massage is on my list of things to do in the future.  I’m thinking about saving the gift card until I hit my 10% goal to celebrate, good reward huh?!

So, has anyone started a new fitness plan lately?  If so, how’s it going?  What’s a key element you have found to be working for you?

 UPDATE:  Oddly enough while over at yourwishcake (Love her stuff by the way!  The girl can write!!) I stumbled upon her entry about 30 Flippin’ Days of Fitness she is partaking in and I thought I would look into.  For more info go here and if you sign up for the contest, start by May 9th!  Good luck :)  Oh, and Steph kindly provides a great little sidebar banner for you to use too.