Best Part of My Life

One of the best things in my life happened a year ago today.  My lil man was born at 4:28 a.m. this day one year ago.  I couldn't imagine my life without him in it.

My life, or should I say our life is so much better now that he is in it.

He has a smile that can make all your troubles disappear.

He gives the best hugs in the whole world.

He just gives me a reason to go throughout my day, because I know when I get home I will get the biggest hug and smile in the world.

They are my everything and I wouldn't change it for anything in the world.

Happy Birthday to my lil monster.

Thank you to a wonderful husband and partner a girl could ever ask for.

Year After Baby

I know it's been awhile since I have posted, but lets face it I'm just a tiny bit busy.  Full Time Mom, Student, Wife, and 3/4 time job, keeps me pretty well busy.

I just wanted to note that one year ago yesterday I went into labor with my lil man.  When they weighed me at the hospital I was at 258 lbs.  Yesterday I was at 212 lbs.  That is 45 lbs total, and 35 lbs since I started this journey. 

I'm pretty excited that without my tracking it I have busted through my 217 lb plateau that I have been at for several months.  I have been working out, but I haven't monitored my food as well as I should have and haven't been weighing myself frequently.  I lost 5 lbs without noticing it.

I have to say that I feel like a healthier Momma and I will continue to lose more weight, and try to not let it creep back up there again.

Thanks for anyone who is still reading this. I will continue to write when I have time, or when I'm avoiding studying for a test.

Time Flies, Organic Chem, and Dealing with it all

I haven't blogged in awhile, guess that shows I have to much going on?  Actually, I was horrible when it came to keeping a diary, writing a journal, and I guess that's the same.  But yes I have way to much on my plate.  I'm currently avoid studying for my A&P Lab test I have in 3 hours.

My little man is going to be 1 in less than a month now.   Where the heck did the time go?  I was putting together his birthday party invitations and I got all misty eyed with the pictures of him over the last year. Specially from when we were in the hospital.  It's crazy that he is already a little man and not a baby anymore.

I find it heartbreaking every time we retire things; his johnny jumper, his swing, his bassinet, and so many more things.  He isn't such a little guy either, he has been wearing 12 months since he was about 9 months old.  He is already drinking mostly milk, which is fantastic considering the price of formula, eating like a big boy, and getting into EVERYTHING. 

I feel like I don't see him enough these days, I leave the house at about 530 in the morning and get home between 5-530 at night.  He goes to bed by 730, so it's really sad I don't get to play with him as much.  I'm sure he will understand eventually?

Organic Chemistry is really as bad as everyone says that it is! Holy crap, I thought I had hard classes before!  This doesn't even come close.  It's a horrid class, and the worst part is its TWO semesters.  The professor is kind of lame, and the class is 200+ people so the chance of getting one on one interaction and help is IMPOSSIBLE. 

My dear sweet husband thinks I'm one of the smartest people he knows.  He keeps telling me that I will get it and that I always get it.  Oh, boy!!  I certainly hope he is right, like he is every time he tells me to 'simmer down.'  He knows me so well, and I think it frustrates him to see me beat myself up so much about it.  My parents too, they think I'll get it too. 

Thankfully with all the stuff I have going on I have family to back me up.  Without them I don't know what I would do without them.

Plus, all my friends are home and with their families (well mostly) and so I don't have to have the worry on the back of my mind.  AND I will finally have some friends to hang out with again.  It's been a bit of a lonely year without them home.

Big shout-out to my little brother, it's his birthday today!!  Happy Birthday! I miss you and I wish I could give you a big ole hug!!

Scale Hiatus

I'm taking a Scale Hiatus!

It's not that I have stopped trying to lose weight, it's just because I'm losing the battle with the scale.  It's become an obsession and it's turned into a huge disappointment since I have stopped losing weight. I fluctuate between 215-217, and I am tired of beating myself up.

I need to focus on school and my family right now so I will continue to work out, as it is my stress relief now.  I may pick this back up in a month or two, specially if I don't make the tape for my military side of life.  We will see, I feel smaller and I think I look smaller so I will keep working on it. 

Maybe my scale hiatus will help with losing weight?? We will see.

School, Spinning, and Speedos?

Hahahaha!! You thought I had stopped my blog! Well you were wrong!!

I'm still here, weighing in a 215.8. Slow progression still, but I'm not gaining and I'm happy with that.

School started almost 2 weeks ago, so my time has been filled with studying O Chem, A&P, and labs for both.  It's freaking crazy but I think I'm managing my time pretty well. 

I also took Spinning back up again!! Yay!!

I have used spin class in the past to meet my weight loss goals and have succeeded before. It's new so it will shock my body back into the weight loss regime!

What's even better is that I have to go to the spin classes offered at BSU's gym because it's one of my 1 credit classes, and I'm required to go to a Group Exercise class 2 times a week!!

Working out has been therapeutic still, I like doing it and I feel horrible when I don't on my normal days.

Another note my friend Evelyn at The Jolly Green Giant is running her first 10K race tomorrow (after losing 50 lbs in 4 months!).  I want to wish her mucho luck on the big race and enjoy that Dr Pepper afterwards!! For those of you who actually read my blog and never comment mentally wish her luck too!!  Evelyn you kick major booty!!

I've got nothing on the Speedo thing....just needed anther S word.



Rollercoaster Emotions

I am truly a mood swinging Mama.

Yesterday I felt awesome, I felt healthy and pretty all day long. Even in uniform.

Today after stepping on the scale I really need to stop weighing myself everyday I felt like a cow, fat and not so pretty.

Self-deprecating...

Yep, that's my MO.  I can't always be happy with myself.

Good news is, I saw one of the gals on base I don't see very much and she says that I am getting thinner and thinner every time she sees me.

SCORE!!

Every time I have a day wear I feel like a fat slob I have to remind myself how healthy I feel.  When we moved into our house going up and down the stairs a couple of times wore me out.  Now I can run up and down several times before I start getting winded. I know I'm healthier even if my body is slow to show it.

I can finish this!

New Mom Worries, School, and Other Randomness

School starts today!! OMG!!! I'm super excited but apprehensive at the same time. 

I haven't been a full time student since Fall 2009. Life has gotten in the way so I have only taken classes randomly here and there.

Last time I was full time; I was engaged, 1 car payment and a few other bills, renting a nice home near campus, working 3/4 time, and preparing for a deployment.  Fast forward 2 years:  I am married, have a 10 month old child, a mortgage, litany of bills (2 car payments), 3/4 time job, and my weekend Warrior duties.

It's a little cause to be worried, but I will survive!!!  Minus a few meltdowns (sorry family in advance I will try to control myself, but no promises).

Moving on to my lil man who now has 3 teeth (4th soon to be here soon I bet), standing on everything he can, and walking along slowly.  Unfortunately that means him falling and crashing into things.  I am pretty good when it's a moderate fall, on his butt, his side or a slight bump on the head with a toy.

What I can't handle is the full on fall into something.

Case in point:  last night he is walking along the coffee table, trips over my husband foot and bangs his head on the bottom of the couch which is nothing more than fabric covered wood.  It upset me a little and I was fine, until he stopped crying 10 secs after he started (with the whole holding his breath thing).  He stopped stared off in space and kinda drooled a little bit. Until we said his name and then he started crying.

Holy crap, I freaked out and checked his pupil response and everything to asses a head wound. He was fine but it freaked both my husband and I out.  BAD!!

I am trying to not be THAT Mom that freaks out over every little bump and bruise. It doesn't help having a medical background and knowing a lot of things that can go wrong.

Oh well live and learn right!?

Slowly Picking up Speed

Weighed myself this morning at I saw a wonderful number 216.4!! I'm back down minus .2 lbs to what I was before I fell off the wagon!! Woohoo!! Means I lost 2.2 lbs from last week!! I'm pretty excited!

Last week I did 4 sessions of cardio and 2 sessions of weight training! Pretty good for jumping back into things.

I plan on doing better this week, especially with school starting today I will need the ME time to run out my frustration and stress.

Wish me luck!! Goal is to lose and average of 1-2 lbs a week. No more plateaus for me!!

Can I go back to Grade School?

I remember when going back to school meant a shiny new back pack, new notebooks, new clothes, new pens, pencils, crayons, colored pencils, and so many more simple things.

I used to hate back to school shopping for clothes because my mom never let me have the 'cool' clothes because they showed to much skin or whatever.

I loved the first day of school and being able to see my friends I hadn't seen all summer long.

I loved meeting the teacher and wondering how cool he/she was going to be.

I anticipated learning so many new things.

NOW THAT I'M IN COLLEGE???

You want $600+ for textbooks???  $2200+ for tuition??  Fee for this, a fee for that.

It's times like these I want to run back to my Mommy and say please buy me some new clothes for school!

I am still anticipating the first day of my classes because I love to learn.

I always hope the teacher speaks proper English so I know what's going on.

I always pray for the energy to stay awake reading the 60+ pages for classes.

I still love the smell of new textbooks, pencils, notebooks, and binders.

It's been since Fall of 2009 since I had a full course load, and especially with science classes. Things weren't as expensive obtaining my Associates in Criminal Justice.

Now I'm doing 13 credits with a soon to be 1 year old, Mortgage payment, 3/4 time job, plus my Weekend Warrior once a month.  Oh lordy, I don't know how my parents did it with 5 kids, both full time jobs, and 15+ credits.

Pray for my sanity this semester.

Is There Really a Light at the End of the Tunnel?

Someone please tell me that there is a light at the end of this weight loss tunnel?

I am in serious fail mode.

I have not worked out in about a week 10 days. Unless you count the many rounds around the Zoo, Mall, Discovery Center, Boise Penitentiary, and the neighborhood.

I ate like a fat kid for those 10 days. I ate anything and everything I have been avoiding since January. I drank soda like it was going out of style, and drank maybe half the amount of the water I usually did. 

Did I mention the 6 Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies yesterday?

I somehow conveniently forgot to do my weigh in for the last two Fridays, because I was afraid to see what it would tell me.

My stomach has not been very forgiving either.  Many mad dashes to the bathroom at random inopportune times.

I told myself I would get back on the weight loss "wagon" today.  So to try and freak myself out even further? I weighed myself, what is my weight you ask??  218.6!  I only gained a pound or so.

Eeek!!

I need to finish this dang journey with or without anybody trying this alongside me.

I am re-establishing my goals here and now:

Make military HT/WT by October 1st

Improve my APFT Score to 220 range

Be under 200 by Cole's 1st Birthday (10/21/2011)

Maintain a healthy weight

That's it!! That's all I have left. I have redone my goals a million times, and I feel like a failure.  I can do this just have to find my balance between life, because it seems to be getting in the way.

Sometimes I feel like I'm doing all this and it's not getting me anywhere, but that is always my fail in life. Motivation is fleeting sometimes and I just have to look more into the positive.

On a good note, I wore leggings the other day with a top just covering my butt and I felt the thinnest I had in a long time.

Working out the Right Way

Some Changes

I have not fallen through the cracks! I'm still here! Life and work has gotten in the way of me blogging!

I have to make some changes though, and one is only posting here once a week. I'm not even sure if anyone really reads this besides my 5 followers (if that), and I just don't have the time.  Time will get even worse when school starts in a few weeks.

I haven't really lost weight the last couple of weeks, I've been working out but I have lost some of my motivation. My family has stopped participating in the weight loss thing so it's a bit disheartening. I liked having the weekly weigh-ins, but I've been the only one.

My problem lately is FOOD. Eeek! I eat really good all day at work, it's not until I get home when I start eating the crap we have in the house. Grrrrr...

I will now weigh in on Fridays. My weight today was 216.8, not quite a lb.

Sunday I went swimming. Monday was a Jillian workout. Tuesday was 30 minutes on the Treadmill. Wednesday was a Jillian workout AND 25 minutes on the treadmill.  Thursday was 25 minutes on the stationary bike (the treadmill wasn't working and people were on everything else).  As for today I think I will take a breather.

I'm so close to losing these darn inches, and I do have to say I like the way I look, but I just need to keep on keeping on. 

This is Why You Are Fat

So I check up on the Crossfit website to see what I'm missing a couple of times a week. I can't really do much of what they post because I don't have kettle bells or a pull up bar (ok so maybe the pull up things can be modified but I hate them).  I also read some of the articles they post, there was one in particular today that caught my eye. This is why you're fat!  All almost all made me want to barf. There were a few that sounded interesting but blech!

On that note it makes me feel better that yesterday I did some workouts from Women's Health.  I did 2 rounds of Power Pairs and 1 round of the Tone up Anytime Anywhere.  I have to say that I can be really uncoordinated!

Today was 25 minutes of running. I have a new found appreciation for running, I think it's because I no longer feel like my lungs are going to burst or my body doesn't hurt like it used to. Good feeling!

Fat Lazy Kid Still Here

I keep having periods of no activity and I have to stop.

I haven't posted since last Wednesday so lets see what have I done??

Thursday's workout consisted of:

25..20..15..10..5..25

Squats, Sit-ups, Leg Raises, and Push-ups

Friday was me frantically running around the house and to work because I overslept followed by a Grocery Shopping adventure.  No exercise, but I hardly sat down that day!

Saturday I weighed in at 217.6, woohoo gained 2 ounces, I could have farted and would have been at my weight from the week prior.  Oh well, laziness and fat kid ice cream binges.

Sunday we went swimming at Eagle Island.  I know you are thinking really? Did you really swim?  Yes I do! Every time I go swimming I get at least 30 minutes of actual swimming in. I will play in the water with my son or float on the our little lounger thing, but before I can get out I have to swim from one end to the other (100 yards??) to get in a mini workout. 

Yesterday the lil man and I went on a 3 mile walk around the Greenbelt! I really miss living in downtown Boise!  I had to go down there for some school stuff and I decided I had some time so I popped lil man in his stroller and we walked! It was nice seeing all the beauty!

Today I had a late start to my day just because I was up for 2 hours with killer headache and itchy bee stung foot, so I got in a 20 minute jog!!

I don't feel as lazy as I did before typing this, I actually got exercise in 3 days in a row. Aiming for 6!!

Can't Stop Running

Yep, I ran again today. I find it a bit more therapeutic than say using the elliptical.  If I'm a little stressed or ticked off, I can sprint my little heart out.  Which is the big reason I do intervals because I like to sprint so I need the 1 minute on 1 minute off.

I'll probably keep this up until my shins feel like they are on fire, right now they are starting to slowly burn.

I also did 10 minutes of weights, wanted to do more but the gym was overrunn with people competeing for the machines.

Sick of Dieting Advice

I am still here!!  Didn't really work out because of Drill and just pure exhaustion.

Did go running this morning, and when I say go, I mean ran intervals on the treadmill.

I'm going to vent a little now...

I wish people would stop giving me dieting advice. Seriously, I'm losing the weight on my own, slowly, but I am losing it.  I'm tired of people giving me the quick weight loss advice. 

TRY HCG!! TRY....(insert crash diet plan here.) 

I've tried the quick weight loss strategy's to lose weight and do you know where it gets me after I stop the crazy diet?  Right back to where I was post diet craze, plus a few more lbs.

Ladies and gentleman I know I bitch that I'm not losing it quick enough and that it's not just melting off.  It's all my fault.  Sometimes I give into that extra 30-60 minutes of sleep.  I give in to that bowl of Ice Cream, extra serving of Lasagna, choose a chocolate bar over that piece of fruit, and many other mistakes.  IT'S MY FAULT!!  I know this and I usually mentally berate myself until I've convinced myself I'm a POS.

Thanks for the advice, but I'm doing it my way and I'm doing it the way that will keep the pounds off.  I'm doing this the right way and hoping to lighter in the future.

Running Great for Aggression

I didn't get a chance to post yesterday, I was actually doing work yesterday!!  It's been off and on crazy at work so some days are better than others.

Yesterday was 30 minutes of intervals on the Treadmill because I have been on the very grumpy side and running always helps remove that feeling. 

It's been nice my shins haven't been bothering me to much so I'm going to keep up on the running until they bother me again. I find that time goes by a bit faster when I run rather than any other workout, and I feel like I get a better workout.

Also went to my unit today to be weighed and taped.  Was very nervous/anxious because I have been kind of slacking a complete lazy ass, so I didn't expect much. I have lost a little less than a lb since last week and I have lost 1% body fat since the 12th of June. Which isn't a lot but good considering what a bum I have been

This means I have approximately 3% left to lose to make military weigh/tape standards. In lamens terms I have to lose ~1-1.5 inches off my waist and ~2-2.5 inches off my hips. If I can motivate myself I can very well make this stander come August drill.  Eeek...just have to stop psyching myself out.

Ready for Exercise Again?

I'm at the point now that I'm tired of HAVING to workout to lose the weight.  I'm anxiously awaiting the time when I can just workout to maintain the weight I'm at.  Am I ever going to get there?

I go through periods of working out that feels awesome and I'm glad I'm doing this, and then I have periods of time where I'm sick of getting up early to workout before work and sit there and watch my husband eat a yummy bowl of Cocoa Puffs for desert.

I miss the days of my youth where I could eat what I wanted and it didn't matter.  Now if I look at a piece of cake or some other yummy baked good the fat instantly attaches to my arse.  The funny thing is that when I was young and thin(er) healthier I was still thinking I was to fat.'

See me on the left, I wish I was back to that point again (like 175).

And yes that is Dean Cain! ;p

I'm tired of looking in the mirror and feeling like a blob.  I know I'm working on it and it takes time but I go back and forth between being excited about the way I look and being disgusted.

I'm having a woe is me day, which is not right because I have plenty of things to be thankful for, but I'm allowed a blah day.

I did workout today!

15mins of Abs and Arms

30 Min Treadmill time Alternating between Running and Uphill Climb

Tomorrow is another day right!

Just Completely Disgusted

The Casey Anthony trial just has me so completely angry right now.  I'm so angry I'm on the verge of tears.  How can this happen?  How can they find her NOT GUILTY!

I can understand that they didn't have a lot of substantial of evidence of what really happened.  It seems to me that the Anthony family is just a bunch of liars, so it's hard to get a clear picture of what really happened.  Really??  That little girl had duct tape on her mouth, WTF do you cover up an accidental drowning with duct tape on her mouth.  Why does a mother who supposedly love that little girl so much go out PARTYING and not tell anybody anything.

Arg....I'm so angry I can't keep my thoughts straight.  I have a few points and lets see if I can get them out without sounding like a blathering idiot.

One thing that makes me mad is I know people who can't have kids, who I think would make EXCELLENT parents.  Yet there are people out there that just throw these children's lives away: Casey Anthony, Daniel Ehrlick, and countless others.  Unfortunately some of these people who kill children get away with it.

I'm into the whole Criminal Justice thing and have my Associates, but I still don't like some of the underlying technicalities.

I love helping people, that has always been my goal in life and it still is, but there are times I'm just disgusted with humanity.  I find myself thinking why bother helping people if all they want to do is hurt each other?  When I was in Iraq as a medic in '05 I found myself disgusted with humanity/people in general.  I find myself back in the same frame of mind now. 

I am not a religious person, but I do believe in a higher power.  I certainly hope that she is really NOT guilty, because if she is (and i really believe that she is) that she better start repenting because the man upstairs is not going to be happy AT ALL!

As a mother I can't understand how someone could do that to their child.  I can get pretty frustrated sometimes with my lil man, but I can't ever imagine doing anything to harm him.  I do miss the just Dan and me time, but I wouldn't give up having my wonderful son in my life.  I can't even fathom doing that to anyone.

I know everyone has their own opinion, and this was mine.

Curse the Holdiay/Vacation

Holidays and Missy watching what she eats does not mix well at all! I did pretty good the first few days of my vacation but yesterday's holiday was horrible!

I watched what I ate, even with the trip the McDonald's AND Burger King. Didn't work out but did get walks in at home, around the Zoo, and some actual swimming while at Eagle Island. I was on vacation is my excuse.

Fourth of July comes around and I totally slip.  Who couldn't resist Mom's homemade macaroni salad, hot dogs, chicken legs, my most delicious Stars and Stripes cupcakes and Mikes Hard (lite!) Cranberry lemonade?

Yes, I did lost a little over 1 lb last week, but I probably gained it all back yesterday.

Didn't work out this morning because I didn't get to sleep until 1 am, and had to get up for work. Blech...and it's a long week to because I have drill this weekend.

I will get back on the weight loss wagon though. I'm making sure I'm eating right today and drinking LOTS of water. I will get a walk in today, so it's not all a complete loss. Back to the workout grind tomorrow.

Oh and I have a picture update:

Measurement update this weekend when I get taped at drill.

Curse holidays!!! Ok, no not really, love the time with family and friends.

Weeding for a Workout?

Workout yesterday consisted of about 4 hours weeding our yard.  Here are some pictures:

This....

..this...

..and this..

...changed into this!!!

And for the side yard...

We got half of this....

...and all of this.

I do believe this is probably harder than any workout I did this week. My body is sore! But not as bad as the hubby, which shows I'm in better shape!! :)

Stay tuned tomorrow for weight/measurement update!!





Cardio and Abs

Today was easy!

20 minute intervals on the Elliptical

Ab exercises for 10 minute

15 min intervals on the Stationary Bike

Morning PT sessions are so much nicer because I'm done by 8 am!!

Annual Training, My Lil Tornado and Other Randomness

I've had quite the break from blogging world.  Two weeks of military training and then another week of playing catch up on my life kept me pretty busy.

Annual Training was interesting.  Discovered the reason why the majority of the people who were left behind at the home front on this last deployment.  Minus the college first kids, random pregnancies, unexpected injuries, and random other reasons, A LOT of the soldiers left behind are lazy!! Holy crap!!  I was in charge of running Sick Call again this year and I had several repeat offenders!  Literally came in this year for the same thing they came in for last year!! RIDICULOUS!

Like I said it was interesting. It's over and with it's end it brings us that much closer to our comrades coming home!

Being away from my son was the hardest part about all of it. I spent a couple of my nights bawling my eyes out because I wanted some of his lil hugs. I missed my hubby, but he is a grown-up and understands why I'm gone, with my son it just felt worse.

Being gone I notice quite a few differences in my little man!  He isn't crawling quite yet, but he is ROLLING all over the place, from one room to another.  He has learned how to remove the DVD's from their stand, pull down the DVD player, and try to play with the wall outlets (after I moved the DVD stand).  He has learned how to scream when he wants something (also even when he doesn't).  He now makes big mess over the living room with his toys.

The toys used to just stay around his general area, now they are strung out all over the living room!

It's crazy how much he gets into things and is all over the place.  He is growing up way to quickly.  Oh and lets not forget that he is fitting into 12 months stuff pretty comfortably and he is only 8 months old.

It's definitely worth everything.

Today marks the day that I went on the first date with my hubby 3 years ago.  We were talking about it last night and both realized that it seems like we have been together a lot longer than that.  Which is a good thing because we can't imagine anything different now!  We celebrated on Sunday with our traditional meal at Idaho Pizza Company and a Movie (X-Men First Class).  It's what we did on our first date and what we will do every year for the rest of our lives together!

Treadmill Walk Run

Cardio workouts always get my blood flowing! I originally got this from Self Magazine but I altered it a little to get a longer/better workout.



Minutes	What to Do
0-5	Warm-up with an easy walk, increasing speed to 3.6 mph and incline. During the last minute, have the incline up to 12-15%.
5-7	Lower incline to 1% and increase speed to 5.0-6.5 mph.
7-9	Reduce speed to 3.4-3.6 and increase incline to 3-6%.
9-27	Repeat minutes 5-9.
27-30	Reduce incline to 1% and cool down.

It was a good workout!! Got in 2.5 miles!

Life Sometimes Gets in the Way

Last week was a really crazy week.  Had a sick family member that we thought was getting better, but then all of a sudden it just got worse so we spent a good part of the night in the Emergency Room on Wednesday night. (all is alright now, so no worries, just a lil scare) 

Needless to say I was exhausted on Thursday between taking care of people so I didn't do anything. I took Thursday off so instead of working out when I got to work on Friday I worked.  I had a lot to do so I didn't want to leave stuff unfinished over the weekend.

Weekends are always bad with working out, because I'm always doing stuff around the house, like cleaning and such (which I consider cleaning the house top to bottom a workout anyways).  Yesterday was even worse because the hubby and I were celebrating our 3 year First Date Anniversary. So I pigged out on popcorn AND had some soda. It was delish!!

The hubby and I of course still did our nightly walks, which is kind of just a relaxation walk but it gets dinner moving through our tummies so we don't feel so yucky going to bed.

Regardless of everything that happened over the last week, I did loose a little bit more than 1 lb! Which has brought me to a 20 lb weight loss since I started this journey!! Yay me!!

I got back into working out this morning with:

15min/3.5 miles on the Stationary Bike

15 minutes of Upper body workout

20 minute intervals on the Elliptical

Now that I passed my PT test I find myself dragging my feet a little bit.  I still need to loose 4% body fat to pass the military taping standards, but I'm just exhausted. I need to find my stride again, and just keep it going at a moderate pace so I don't have to deal with it again!!

I'm Still Here!

Annual Training was a crazy whirlwind, and as much as I tried to keep up on the blogging it just wasn't happening.

I did get about 7 days worth of double workouts.  I did miss about 4 days of working out but 2 of those days I was doing other stuff that was equivalent to a workout.

Unfortunately until this morning I hadn't worked out since Friday.  shhhh...don't tell anyone! :p
I also kind of splurged on goodies I had been wanting so very badly.

Yesterday I jumped back into watching what I ate, and this morning I jumped back into my normal routine.

This morning's workout:

     Arms workout  (Biceps, Triceps, Chest Flys, Shoulders)

     Treadmill Workout (20 min alternating between Walking @3.6 incline @8.5 and Running @6.0 and incline @1.5)

Abs

Stationary Bike 3 miles in 15 minutes

I learned that I really hate Army PT.  Sometimes I felt like I really didn't get a workout in, or we used some lame excuse like setting up camo nets as our PT.  One would think working out with other people makes it more fun, but it's just a hindrance. I do have to say that the night we played volleyball was a blast though. Wish I could do something like that more often.  I'm getting back into my home rhythm which will make the rest of the weight drop off at a decent rate again.

On the medical side, the thyroid medicine my doc gave me seems to have regulated my hormones.  The doctor is keeping me on this particular dose, which is fine with me. I definitely have more energy and my weight isn't staying stationary as much anymore.

Days 6-8

PT has been a hit or miss the last few days.

Thursday was the Range, so we didn't have early morning PT because we had to get up at the butt crack of dawn to get to the range.  I was a range safety (meaning I make sure nobody shoots anybody else accidentally). I basically walked up and down the range a ZILLION times, and we didn't get back until almost 8 that night, so I didn't do anything else.

Yesterday we got to sleep in til 6!  So again no PT, and since I had personal stuff to do at night I didn't get anything done last night.

Today we did Ab Ripper X from the P90X series, which kicked my butt!! Well mostly my back and not my abs, cuz I have AWESOME abs!  Tonight I'll throw in some cardio for about 30 minutes or so!! Since I've been on my butt doing paperwork all day! Woo!!

I'm going to do a weigh and tape tomorrow to see where I'm at!! Crossing my fingers for some good results.

Social Media is the Devil

I'm a self proclaimed Facebook addict, I probably check it every 2-3 hours consistently unless it's on the weekends or I'm really busy.  Yes I'm even guilty of facebooking from the toilet.

At the same time I love Facebook, I hate it because I get tired of people using things I say against me. I understand if I don't want it used against me then why do I say it?  I don't even know sometimes, but there is sometimes ok always times that I just have stuff floating around in my head and I feel like getting it out.  I do censor the stuff 90% of the time.  Some of the things I think of in my head are just not kosher.

Perfect example of those head on the desk in shame moments, sort of.  Last night I was in bed, and I just got an overwhelming feeling of complete despair about not seeing my son. I had realized that today was only day 5 and I had at least 9-10 days more to go.  I started bawling like a big baby. I MISS MY SON!  Rightfully so!!  This is the longest I have been away from him and it's very hard.  So I post it on facebook.

Unfortunately that post and several other my fellow soldiers here at Annual Training have expressed their frustration with Annual Training, has apparently started a riot overseas where the rest of our fellow soldiers are serving a tour in Iraq.

I can understand the frustration of those guys, they are away from their families for 1 year+, and it's not necessarily a hard deployment (pool parties, frequent concerts, frequent BBQ's....etc), but it sucks none-the-less to be away from the comforts of home for more than a year.

How do I know that you ask?

Been there, done that, got the god damn t-shirt, bad dreams, bad shoulder/back.

Deployment sucks, its seriously no picnic in the park.

I'm damn proud of my friends for being over there, and there are times I wish I was there, but I know it's a lame ass deployment compared to the last time.

But it's also a lame freaking Ass Annual Training.  I know I signed up for this 11+ years ago, AT can be good/bad.  Unfortunately, we are not out in the field, which I think would make things easier, than sitting on base in the barracks, where I'm seriously 15 minutes away. Garrison Annual Trainings are BORING.

I am a new Mom, away from my son longer than I have ever been, and I have every GOSH DARN right to miss him, regardless of how long it is.

To my friends in Iraq I'm not trying to diss on the deployment, you guys are doing a kick-ass job, and it sucks being there. You will be home soon, and welcomed with giant big open arms.

Days 3-5 of Annual Training

Day three was Monday.  We accomplished 20 minutes of 60/120's. Walk for 2 minutes sprint for 1.

Holy hell, I really hate running.

Unfortunately we had a briefing that night so I didn't get my second workout, but I did walk around base A LOT again so I consider that good cardio.

Yesterday morning's PT session was a joke, because we set up camo netting for some classes that the medics were teaching, so needless to say it wasn't much.

WHICH.....
Means I had to work out last night, so I did intervals on the Elliptical and did, Arms, Abs, and Back weight lifting. Sooooo nice.

This morning's PT was a little better, a run to the parade field, pretending to set stuff up, and then about 20 minutes of group PT which was various exercises (not really worth anything except the moderators), followed by a run back from the parade field.

Tonight I'll prolly do more intervals on the elliptical and some weights. 

I definitely feel like I'm losing something, guess we will see.

Annual Training Days 1 and 2

Hahaha!! Thought you would get a break from me during my two week Annual Training (AT) didn't you!! Think again. Annual Training actually will work me harder than any other workout I have done up to date (or at least I tell myself that). Nothing makes you sweat more than a military uniform, add on the Battle Gear on certain days.

Friday was my day of rest, ate what I wanted, and didn't workout.

Yesterday was Day 1 of AT, and I did an AWFUL lot of walking around. Ask my pink toe and both heels which have torn blisters already. After everything was set up and people knew where they needed to go I went and did 5.5 miles on the stationary bike in about 20 minutes.

Today I got to run our 0500 (yes that time does exist!) physical training session. Here is what we did:



Parking Lot Run

                25- Air Squats, Hand Release Push-ups, Crunches

                Parking Lot Run

                20- Air Squats, Hand Release Push-ups, Crunches

                Parking Lot Run

                15- Air Squats, Hand Release Push-ups, Crunches

                Parking Lot Run

                10- Air Squats, Hand Release Push-ups, Crunches

                Parking Lot Run

                5- Air Squats, Hand Release Push-ups, Crunches

                Parking Lot Run

                25- Air Squats, Hand Release Push-ups, Crunches

Parking Lot Run

Did some more walking around, though not as much as yesterday.  I also plan on doing 20-30 more minutes of cardio tonight after dinner chow.

My goal is to make Army Height/Weight standards by the end of AT on the 19th.

Wish me luck!!

              

Three for Thursday

Three of my favorite Pandora.com stations
1.  80's Pop
2.  Today's Hits
3.  Classic Rock

Three lessons learned since I have graduated from high school
1.  Money will never EVER grow on trees
2.  No matter how smart you are in high school, it doesn't help you in College
3.  Being an Adult sucks! (sometimes)

Three people I was remembering on Memorial Day
1.  My Grandfather Albert Brazier--WWII and Korean War Vet
2.  Grandma and Grandpa Parish
3.  My friends in the 116th BCT who are currently in Baghdad doing awesome things.

Three favorite YouTube videos
1.  Rollover Drills  (this is a little explicit, not to bad tho) This is what the military does when we are bored.
2.  Any type of movie trailer, because movies are so awesome!!
3.  Shoez

Three bad habits
1.  Socially smoking. (I never EVER expose my son to it) The military can be a REALLY bad influence.
2.  Facebook addict
3.  Procrastinator

Three foods I will NEVER put in my mouth
1.  Peas, they are incredibly gross
2.  Bugs, because I never had an urge to be apart of any of those reality shows where they debut that kind of stuff.
3.  Crunchy Peanut Butter, because I only recently rediscovered creamy and I HATE peanuts.

Three things that sounded like a good idea at the time
1.  Getting married, having a baby, and buying a house IN THE SAME YEAR!!
2.  Joining the military. Don't get me wrong I love it very much but there are some days I wonder.
3.  Putting off college for 2 years, I'm still trying to finish my degree 8 years later.

Three plans for Father’s Day 2011
1.  Hope to be done with Annual Training so I can spend it with the hubby
2.  Spend time with my husband and father
3.  Be thankful that Annual Training is done until next year

Three things that make me a “mean mom” (aka a GOOD mom)
1.  Being in the military, because it takes me away at random time for unknown lengths sometimes.
2.  Trying to teach my 7 month old that whining won't get him his way
3. Schedules...schedules...schedules

Three pictures

I miss my little brother, and I'm so proud of him.

I miss my other three brothers also.

Our dog Artemis is laying at my feet, unfortunately she didn't stay this small, her head is now the size of how big she is in the picture.

I ROCKED That PT Test

That's right ladies and gents I passed my PT test today!

I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders and it feels incredibly awesome.

I was really worried about my pushups and wound up kicking them in the butt!!!

I needed 17 pushups, I did 19.  I needed 45 situps, I did 56.  I needed 20:30 on my 2 Mile run, I ran it in 20:09.  Making my score a 197.

I'm happy that I passed it, but disappointed I didn't pass the weigh-in. I knew I wouldn't pass my weigh in, but there is always a hope in the back of my mind that those inches magically fell off.  I try to look at the bright side, and think that I can't be that horrible of a soldier, because I obviously have been working out because I passed a PT test 7 months post partum.

It's a euphoric feeling, and I will indulge a bit for the next 24 hours or so, because in less than 48 I will be enjoying fine Army Chow for 14 days.  Needless to say I will definitely lose weight!!

Confessional

So I have been a BAD girl.  I've been giving in to my chocolate and red vine addiction a little more than I should lately.  I have gone through 2.5 packages of Red Vines in about a week and 2 Whatchamacallit bars in 5 days.

I'M SOOOOOOOO FREAKING NERVOUS FOR MY PT TEST TOMORROW.

Ok, so for those of you who don't know what an Army PT test is let me clue you in. It's a test to measure your physical fitness, endurance...etc.  It's a 2 mile run, Pushups in 2 minutes, and Situps in 2 minutes.  It's all timed and you have to achieve a certain score in all three events to 'PASS', although it's better to overachieve rather than just attain the lowest minimum.  I also have to weigh-in, which I won't pass weight wise (never have in 11 years) but you do get taped for body fat.  I have a feeling I won't pass tape, but I'm only off by a few inches anyways, with workouts during Annual Training I should kick it in the ass.

I'm also just a bundle of nerves because with the 2 week Annual Training coming up, the big wigs are making us stay on base the whole two weeks. I feel like I can't complain because my fellow soldiers are away from their families for a year, and that is much harder. But I still get upset, because I have to spend 2 weeks away from my son.....

bundle of nerves = eating like a fat kid

I have done so good for about 6 months now and it's just getting out of hand......

I will get back on the wagon and finish this journey, it just may take a couple of days.

Stay tuned tomorrow for the results of my PT test.

Low Key To Prep For Thursday

I have my Army APFT Test Thursday so I'm taking it easy for the few days leading up to it.

But that's after my lazy Memorial Day Weekend.

I didn't do much, enjoying family, traveling, and playing with my son was my focus this weekend.

I did a low key workout today:

5 Minute Quick Pace Stationary Bike

20- P/U, S/U, Squats, Lunges

5 Minute Quick Pace Stationary Bike 20 Triceps, Biceps, Shoulder Raises

15- P/U, S/U, Squats, Lunges

5 Minute Quick Pace Stationary Bike 15 Triceps, Biceps, Shoulder Raises

10- P/U, S/U, Squats, Lunges

5 Minute Quick Pace Stationary Bike 10 Triceps, Biceps, Shoulder Raises

Trying to not get super nervous Thursday, but it's hard.  My nervousness sneaks up on me at random times. Eeek!!

I know that I won't make time, close, but with double workouts for my 2 week Annual Training I hope to make tape by 19June but if not definitely my goal is by 9July. By the end of the summer I hope to make under 200.

Keep on Keeping on!!

Almost 3 lbs down AND a Pant Size

That's right!! I am now officially down a pant size!! Wooohoo!!

Weigh in this morning 222.0!!

As I sit here eating a few Red Vines and Popcorn. It's Sunday night movie night at our house. Harumph, I do what I want.

Picture update....

Yep, new/old jeans. Pre-baby Jeans!!

Memorial Day/Heroes

 

While we are all enjoying the 3-4 day weekend with our family and friends I want to share a few facts about the federal holiday we are about to celebrate.

1. It was formerly known as Decoration Day
2. It commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in the military service.
3. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War (it is celebrated near the day of reunification after the civil war).
4. It was expanded after WWI to include American casualties of any war or military action
5. A national moment of rememberance takes place at 3 p.m. Eastern time
6. Another tradition is to fly the flag at half-staff from dawn until noon local time
7. Members of the Veterans of Forein Wars takes donations for poppies in the days leading up to Memorial Day, the poppies significance is the result of John McCrae poem "In Flanders Fields"
8. Memorial Day formerly was observed on May 30. The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW) advocate returning to this fixed date, although the significance of the date is tenuous. The VFW stated in a 2002 Memorial Day Address:
“ Changing the date merely to create three-day weekends has undermined the very meaning of the day. No doubt, this has contributed a lot to the general public's nonchalant observance of Memorial Day."

I honestly didn't know that much about Memorial day until a few years ago and I feel better knowing that it's more than just a 3 day weekend. Take some time this weekend to visit a cemetery, maybe you know someone that gave their life for this country: friend, relative, comrade, stranger, and give a moment of silence for those individuals.

 

But also remember the other's in your life that you have lost, because it's about them too. It's time to spend with family and remember those we have lost.

 

While I'm on the honoring the fallen kick, here is a note I wrote a couple of years ago:

 

What is a hero to you? That is the question on one of the discussion board's here on facebook. I'm sitting in the BSU computer lab wasting time before my last final, and I came across the discussion board and was appalled at some of the things people were saying. Things like soldiers are child killers, drones, and they can't think for themselves. REALLY? Thousands of men and women have sacrificed their lives for the freedom's we enjoy! SERIOUSLY, people are going to diss the American Soldier for the few that choose to do the wrong thing and make us look bad.

Dictionary.com defines a Hero as:
–noun, plural -roes; for 5 also -ros.
1. a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities.
2. a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal: He was a local hero when he saved the drowning child.
3. the principal male character in a story, play, film, etc.
4. Classical Mythology. a. a being of godlike prowess and beneficence who often came to be honored as a divinity.
b. (in the Homeric period) a warrior-chieftain of special strength, courage, or ability.
c. (in later antiquity) an immortal being; demigod.

To me a Hero is someone who puts other's needs in front of their own, not expecting anything in return. There is a word for that and I can't remember what the heck it is....someone help me out.

I remember now it's Altruism

 

My parent's are my heroes because they both went to school and worked full time jobs while raising the five of us. They sacrificed some of the good things in life to make sure that we were taken care of.

 

My Grandpa Brazier is my hero for serving in the Navy during WWII.

 

My Grandpa Parish is my hero for making the journey from Greece to American in search of something better.

 

The men and women who have lost their lives and been seriously injured are my heroes. Those men and women who have given up their lives to help other people out, to lay across a buddy's body to shield them from an explosive. Those are my hero's.

 

My fellow soldiers of the 116th who are away from their families.  Special attention to my friends from C Co 145th. You guys are doing an awesome job over there and I wish I was there with you.

 

I'm tired of people thinking that because they watch the news, read the newspapers, and are college educated, that they know what's going on. I hate to say it but unless you have experienced being away from your family in a place where the people are trying to kill you, you cannot understand what it's like. I've overheard people saying that soldiers can't think for themselves and that they are just in the military for the money, and I'm sick of it. Yeah I will admit that the college tuition and GI Bill are a great incentive but I like having done something with my life that will make a difference in other peoples. Like a police chief I met said; "you can't change the the whole world but you can make a world of difference in someones life." I can't say that everything thing we do over there is right and just but I believe that a lot of things we do make a difference.

 

I will always remember the 7 year old boy that I held during a MAV (medical assistance visit) who was seriously deformed, malnourished, and small for his age, I will remember that thanks that I got from his Mother for holding him and wiping the dirt off his face and giving him medicine for the cold that he had.

I've just rambled but I was just outraged by some of the things people say.

 

Today I want you to think to yourself, What is a hero? And whomever that is, thank them for whatever it is that makes them a hero to you.

 

I'll step off my soapbox for now.

 

Enjoy your weekend!!!!

Lil Man's Birth Story

WARNING:  SOME INFO IN THIS POST MAY BE TMI

ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK

I was recently prompted to share my story about my son's birth.

Ironically enough my water broke on my due date Wednesday, October 20th. This was after my appointment the day prior arranging my inducement date to be that Friday.

I had gone to work that day, working only about 6 or 7 hours as it was just uncomfy being in military uniform. I had gotten home, and was about to dig into a snack (I don't remember what it was) as I go to sit on the couch I felt a small gush. This was about 330. I waddled my way to the bathroom where I checked myself, and saw some clearish fluid.  Not sure what was going on (I had heard water breakage was much worse), I called my Mom into the room and asked her to look and tell me if she thought my water broke.  Indeed it had!

I proceeded to change into less wet clothes and call my husband, which he says he is still amazed to this day how calm I was, and tell him to come home we were having our baby.  I then finished my snack, because I heard that I wouldn't be allowed to eat, and I didn't know how long it would be before I could eat.  Lets face it I LOVE food.

We made it to the hospital about 430 and got checked in I kept leaking and the nurse checked and noticed a green tinge indicating meconium staining possibly. Still no contractions when I got to my room, so I walked around the hospital for about 2 hours to induce it.

I would say about 730-8 was when the contractions started, very fine at first and increase over the next couple of hours.

The problem between this time and the time I got my epidural about 1230-1 is that they couldn't monitor both the baby's heartbeat and my contractions, so I was manhandled so frequently it got REALLY annoying.

I was crazy you see, I told myself that I would wait until I was on the verge of tears or actually crying from the pain to get the epidural. Boy did I cry my little heart out. My Dad cried also, and it wasn't until after he came back in the room and I was in heaven that I found out he was upset because his little girl was in pain.  My Dad the big teddy bear with the heart of gold.

The funny part is at one point I'm in tears and the anesthesiologist is like ok be still. EXCUSE ME...YOU WANT ME TO HOLD STILL WHILE MY INSIDES FEEL LIKE THEY ARE PUSHING THEMSELVES OUT EVERY MINUTE AND A HALF FOR ABOUT 45 SECONDS?? With the help of my Mom I was able to hold still and get the epidural. About 5 minutes later Mom tells me I'm having a contraction and I'm like what contraction??

They were still having problems finding a good heartbeat, and I was getting worried. My nurse had finally found a spot that they could monitor both and told me not to move. I didn't until some random nurse came in and moved me. It went all downhill after that... I got moved around so much and it was making me nervous.  At one point they told me to get up on my hands and knees, just a reminder I had already had my epidural at this point, my doctor came in and he was amazed that I was able to do that. I'm not sure how I did it either.

Then they mentioned the C word, C-section was apparently inevitable, because at this point they still couldn't monitor both my contractions and his heartbeat.

I started hyperventilating at this point because I was seriously scared, this was the first hospital visit I had personally since I was born, so I was freaked about being opened up. They had let me eat a turkey sandwich at like 930, because I wasn't dilating quick enough so my Doctor gave the go-ahead. Well during my hyperventilating episode I almost vomited it back up again. My Mom and the Doctor got me calmed down and we got ready for the procedure.

I don't remember the whole thing because I kept dozing off.  What I do remember is the initial worry when they said Cole was out and I didn't hear him cry, followed by the sense of relief when I did. I remember being overwhelmed that I could not hold him. The other thing I remember is the doctor mentioning removal of my ovary (I had a cyst on the right side during my whole pregnancy, and it had pretty much decimated that ovary so they had to remove it, thankfully the cyst was benign).

I was in recovery and all I could think about was wanting to hold my son, and unfortunately I only got to seem him for about 10 minutes in the NICU then I was wheeled off to my room.

He had some respiratory problems at first but the main reason he was in the NICU was his blood sugar levels were way to low. He was there for about 4 days, and my doctor being the amazing person he was said I could stay an extra couple of days to be with him. It wasn't until I was able to start nursing him that his levels stayed at acceptable levels.

Thinking about the whole experience makes me emotional, but I also am very thankful to have him in my life and in such good health.  Spending time in the NICU does that, because all the other babies in there were so much sicker than my son was, and I felt lucky that he was just hypoglycemic.

The funniest thing about him being in the NICU was he was the biggest baby and the loudest.

He was 9lbs 1oz and 21 inches of pure joy!!

The hubby looking like a hottie in his scrubs

First Family picture

Cuddle time with baby and Momma 

Too many wires

Thanks for bearing with me for this incredibly long post.