Keeping the Faith - Skinny Me!

E2E Challenge - Initial Pictures and Stats

2011-12-31T18:38:00.000-08:00

As I said...my kids' friends sometimes read my blog, so do coworkers. I don't want my progress pics up for the world to see at my linked and posted website. The pictures have terrible exposure - I was standing under a floodlight and natural light from the adjacent hallway was streaming in, too - but you get the idea of my general condition!

No makeup and wearing biking gear.

The Architect, Cherry Ames and I were about to head out for a day of mountain biking.

That's Princess Pea peeking into the picture. Silly girl. I didn't even know she had done that, but I understand now why Cherry Ames was laughing so hard while snapping the pics for me.

Profile. Nice leg muscles and yeah, my tummy proclaims that I carried several babies.

Starting Measurements:
Height: 5'-3"Weight: 158 lb /150 - 1.24.12Bust: 42"Ribcage: 35"Waist: 31"/ 30" - 1.24.12Hip: 40"Thigh: 20" /20.5" 1.24.12Upper Arm: 12"/ 11.5" 1.24.12Wrist: 6"Pant Size: 8 dress pant, 8 jeanSkirt Size: 10Dress Size: 12 or 14 to fit the bust, and then tailored as necessary to take in the waist, hips and shouldersTee Shirt Size: Medium

Slimmer This Summer Update

2011-07-26T15:59:00.000-07:00

There's a Fresh Update...and a nifty snapshot of a flaming car...over at Keeping the Faith

Plateaus - the Weight Loss Kind

2011-07-07T06:37:00.000-07:00

New Public Service Announcements at Keeping the Faith!
Plateaus - What Causes ThemPlateaus - How to Beat Them

Slimmer This Summer Update

2011-07-06T12:45:00.001-07:00

A new update for Slimmer this Summer!Click Here!

New Update at Keeping the Faith!

2011-06-28T12:42:00.000-07:00

There's a new update at the new blog:
StS Challenge Update
as well as a Public Service AnnouncementPlateaus and What Causes Them
Follow me over to the new site: http://angelapea.com

StS Challenge Update

2011-06-17T08:42:00.000-07:00

New post - Skinny This Summer Updatehttp://angelapea.com

Follow Me to WordPress!

2011-06-09T19:59:00.000-07:00

I am officially fed up with Blogger.It's been more than a month now, and I still can't access any of my blogs easily and my dashboard does nothing by show error codes.Posting comments is hit or miss at bestand I can't edit my css scripts or my templates.I'm tired of trying to hack my way in to put posts on my blog. I wish them well, and hope they can get their act together before they go bankrupt. I've migrated to WordPress, so please follow me! http://angelapea.com/ The site over there is still under construction, and my feeds aren't set up yet,but you are all welcome to come over!

Slimmer This Summer Day 2 - Glutton for Punishment

2011-06-07T21:00:00.000-07:00

It was hot again today. Really, really hot. So what did I do? Headed out the door at noon on a bicycle for a quick twelve mile ride! I had to ride south to pick up DirtBike's prescription from the peditrician anyway, and I'm carless for the summer becasue Cherry Ames and I are carpooling...and I get dropped off first.

So what was spectacular on the ride other than my sweat drenched self?

Standing Cypress!

Ipomopsis rubra

This Texas wildflower stands about three to four feet tall and is electric red. Seriously, like Day-Glo burn your eyeballs bright red. The shots I took of the whole plat were fuzzy, so I borrowed the one below from dallasgardens.com so you can see how impressive it is.

this image courtesy dallasgarden.com

So In Your Face Cheerful!

Sort of like me!

Slimmer This Summer Day 1 - Over the River...

2011-06-06T11:53:00.000-07:00

Over the river and through the woods

To the north side I go!!

The wind was NOT blowing today, so I hit the Trinity Trails going north today. (I usually head south first, into the wind, so that I can coast with the wind coming back when I'm, uh, all winded and tired.) Going north means ~Whoot!~ I get to ride right over the river!! That's a low water crossing to the left, and it's wide enough to ride across. You have to be really careful to make that right turn at the bottom of the ramp.

Birds have been having a feast on the crawdads.
Carcassas and broken claws scattered all over the dam.

Once upon a time, I could drive one of these.
I'm pretty sure I've forgotten how!

How did it go today?GREAT!

Slimmer this Summer - Kickoff!

2011-06-05T12:06:00.000-07:00

I've been working towards my goal weight for a long, long time. Almost five years now! It's been up and down for me, a spectacular down when I first started, a very ugly "up" after my stroke, and decidedly and consistantly down ever since. I've lost a total of 62 pounds to date. My first fifty pounds came off in six months. I gained about 25 back after the stroke, joined Weight Watchers Online and shed the 25 plus 4 spare pounds and then got stuck on a most heinous plateau. I started going to regular Weight Watchers meetings for the support and encouragement, losing 8 more pounds in the past five months. I now have 17 more to lose to hit my goal weight. These last pounds, however, are giving me so much grief. They are stubbon and persistant and are clinging to my bones like stink on a hog. I celebrate every ounce lost and shed tears over every one gained.

It's summer now, and Debi over at Debbi Does Dieting and Mir at Happy Weight After have set up

a Summer Challenge.

The plan in a nutshell -

Blog our goals!!
Track food and water
Limit those calories
Get moving!
Blog Weekly with results
No winners or losers, so NO QUITTING!!
Cheer on fellow challengers

So. What is my goal? To hit my goal weight by the end of this summer. To do this I will:

Track my food consumption and exercise consistently and honestly
Stay within my daily point allowance; extravagant food choices (4th of July! Beer!) will be earned with activity points before they are consumed; weekly points? Try not to dip into them!
Earn a minimum of 50 activity points a week; this equates to about 30 minutes a day of high level cardio
Blog Weekly - I'll post my WW results weekly
No quitting? No brainer. I haven't quit yet!
Follow fellow challengers and share some positive thinking

I love having a plan. It suits my Type A Self perfectly!

Friday and a NSV!!

2011-05-27T12:09:00.000-07:00

NSV...sure. Get to that in a minute. I had a RSV (Real Scale Victory) this week, too! Down 2.8 pounds, putting me at 162.0, the lowest I've been in eons! As Elvis would say,

Thank you. Thank you very much.

The NSV? Today on my lunch hour I grabbed one of the company bikes and rode fifteen miles. FIFTEEN, I tell you! How did I do it? Lets start with a very frustrating morning dealing with

work

DirtBike

disappointment

not necessarily in that order. Then take into consdieration that it's B-E-A-YOOOOOOO-tiful outside and sunshine makes me happy. Mix those two together, toss in my need to rail against something and a totally awesome bike and Voila! I totally beat up those bike pedals! Rode from my office all the way to highway 183 and back to the office.

This is where I rode today! Interesting transition from the
pavement in "downtown" to the suburb pavement.
The trees on the other side of the Trinity look like they're getting a drink.

Smiling and feeling much, much better!

I think I need to learn how to hold the phone and take pictures of myself while riding, like Bitchcakes does. I'm not that coordinated, though, and would probably crash the bike. Which wouldn't be good, because it's a company bike, not actually my own.

Progress Photos!!

2011-05-24T11:23:00.000-07:00

Hey! Since I'm the one usually holding the camera, I don't get many snapshots of me. A few weeks ago, Princess Pea and I were waiting for Mr. Pea and the rest of the crew to come pick us up to go to Cousin Pea's graduation. I know that Princess Pea can work camera magic, so I took advantage of the free time!

front...

...side...

...and just for fun!

That pretty green lawn? Not ours. We were waiting at Grandma Jane's house, and she has the magic touch when it comes to landscaping!

Summer Challenge and a HALLELUIAH!!

2011-05-24T10:36:00.000-07:00

Halleluiah! Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir
image courtesy www.socialcapital.wordpress.com

What's the halleluiah for? Blogger is working again!! I've been blog-less for twelve days - TWELVE DAYS! I swear, my head was about to explode! I've been online on the Blogger forums - apparently that little snafu a few weeks ago was a humongous mess up for bloggers around the world. Blogger kept saying "It's all fixed now" and "We're up and running", but there were many hundreds of thousands of bloggers left out in the rain. Including me.

No posting, no editing, no manipulating my background images. Worse still? No feeds to my favorite blogs!! I'm so out of touch now. If something really, Really Important happened that I should know about, somebody please tell me, okay?

So. Enough whining! Weight loss? Trudging right along, thank you very much. I'm fighting for every ounce, but guess what? I've learned the WHY behind why the last few pounds are so ridiculously difficult to shed. Stay tuned for a PSA...

I'm up to a little challenge this summer. Debbi over at Debbi Does Dieting is hosting a Slimmer this Summer challenge. Some other bloggy support groupies are joining up, so I did, too. (Ooh! Ooh! I'm one of the cool kids!) Take a look. Sign up. Keep going.

I'm glad to be back.

Test Post - Blogger Still Down

2011-05-23T16:02:00.000-07:00

Test Post - Blogger is still not functional after the crash two weeks ago, and I am becoming extremely frustrated. I'm about to make the leap to WordPress....but I'm afraid to jump.

Weigh-In Day and a NSV

2011-05-05T11:42:00.000-07:00

Weigh-In Day and I was up a pound, but I'm not upset about it [this week] because Mr. Pea and I attended a scrumptious Auction Dinner, then it was Mr. Pea's birthday, and over the week I indulged in chocolate Easter eggs, beer, chocolate cake and full on fat chicken cheese enchiladas. Not together, of course, because everyone knows that beer goes with peanut butter cookies, not chocolate cake. Was it worth it? YES!!! EVERY BITE!!!

I'm ramping it up this week with exercise and that pound will be history by Tuesday afternoon.

I'm also not upset because of this. Remember this picture from last fall? I was just all darned excited that day about rewarding myself with green shoes and I was elated that this brown skirt was too loose.

I took that skirt in two inches in February. TWO INCHES. I pulled it out of my closet last night and ironed it to wear today. I put it on this morning, pulled the zip and busted out laughing. It was so loose that it sagged down below the top of my panties. Seriously. However, I was running late and too slacking to iron anything else so I bunched it up with a safety pin at the zip, pulled my top down over it and went on my way.

I am walking around today with my skirt pinned shut so that it doesn't fall off.

How Cool is THAT??

Oh Frabjous Day!

2011-04-28T12:00:00.000-07:00

Jumping for Joy
image courtesy Dale Taylor Photography

See that box at the right? The one called "Today"? It's been updated.

For those of you who've been keeping track, you know I've been plateaued FOREVER. Almost forever. I'm staying OP - never eating my weeklies, and working off any points over my dailies. Gain an ounce, lose an ounce. Run, bike, Zumba my fanny all over the place and the darned scale wouldn't budge. Wont' budge I tell you.

I was reminded by my WWLeader that not all victories are scale victories (though they can often be the sweetest!) and that I needed to look at the ~~big~~ shrinking picture. She urged me to measure myself and track that progress as well.

Since it's been ages since I posted the stats on the blog, I pulled out the tape measure and WOW!!! I've shrunk! My overall weight has gone down just a pound or so in the past few months, but my BMI is lower, and my body fat percentage (calculated using circumference measurements all over and caliper measurements of skin folds is 25.0%, firmly at the lower end of normal! I'm almost considered to be in the "fit" range!!

I've come a long way from obese, baby!

Spring in Texas and a Basic Physics Lesson

2011-04-25T08:15:00.000-07:00

When big pieces of ice fall from the sky...

...stuff gets broken.

Even if it's covered with several quilts and a tarp.

That's Mr. Pea's car.

So sad that we have four cars and ony three garage bays.

Spring in North Central Texas

My thankfulness for today is in the form of a Hail Resistant Roof. Best investment ever.

There's Nobody to Blame But Myself

2011-04-19T11:38:00.000-07:00

No, this isn't one of those "Woe is me I went on a binge" posts. But what I did WAS pretty stupid. Remember that prescription for which I took an eight mile bike ride to order and then another ride to go pick up? I lost it.

Seriously. I'm totally freaked out. I never lose anything. It's part of my built in Type A Personality Defense System. So what does that mean? I had to ride to Dr. Tom's office again today to get a replacement. Normally, I'd be tickled at the prospect of outdoor exercise in the sunshine. Even Olivia would be tickled.

image courtesy
jupiterimages.com

But it's windy today. Windier than that first ride. The sustained wind today is 26 mph. It took me 38 minutes to get to Dr. Tom's office, and I thought I was going to die at three miles out. It took me only seventeen minutes to get back to my office with the wind at my back.

So. Let's look at the bright side, shall we? I made it back alive. I can tell that I got a great workout today because my quads feel like jelly. I got DirtBike's prescription just in the nick of time, as he took his last pill this morning. Tuesday is the pharmacist's 'late' night so I can get it filled on the way home from work.

Exercise, A Sort-of Naked Men Rant and Shrimp Tacos

2011-04-12T11:31:00.000-07:00

How did I move today? Hopped back on the bicycle and rode to Dr. Tom's office again to pick up DirtBike's prescription! It was MUCH easier today, since the wind wasn't blowing at a steady 23 mph.

Some famous soccer player named VanPersie.
Did I see him running today shirtless?
No. If I had, I wouldn't be complaining at all.
I'd probably stop the bike and gawk for a few minutes.
Image courtesy http://www.adsoftheworld.net/.

What is it with men that makes them think they have to strip off their shirts in public as soon as the sun shines and the temperature rises above 74 degrees? Seriously. I appreciate that some of these dudes are overly proud of their man-abs and flexy muscles; and some of them may just be pursuing the bestest tan ever; but the rest of them? Egads. I'm pushing fifty, am slightly overweight and have been pregnant four times and I still have a shaplier torso. Blech!! AND - the buff guys are carrying their shirts. Come on. You know they left their offices and cubicles completely intent on getting out and stripping to their shorts, so why didn't they just leave the shirt at work? Don't use the "Oh, it's so very hot," excuse on me.

I wonder what sort of response I would get if I stripped my shirt off to go bike riding or running? Seriously...the Enell bra covers all the good bits and quite a lot of my back and ribcage, so I would still be modest. Just shirtless.

Shrimp Tacos for lunch. OMGoodness they are so good. Marinate the shrimp in firey mojo sauce, grill and serve on corn tortillas with diced tomatos, cilantro and a thin slice of avacado. Very point friendly and tasty.

Conversations with the Inner Brat - Insane Errand

2011-04-08T12:44:00.000-07:00

Okay. It's another beautiful springtime day here in North Central Texas. I had one important errand to do today, call in DirtBike's prescrition. Lunchtime rolls around and as I reach over to pick up the phone to call in the prescription refill, Olivia chimes in.

Hey! What are you doing? Hey yourself, Olivia. I'm about to make a phone call for DirtBike. Ooooh! I have a scandalously brilliant idea! The Trinity Trail leads right to Dr. Tom's parking lot, so lets' ride the bike there! Play outside! Get some EXERCISE!! Olivia, that's a pretty long ride. What's the matter? Are you chicken? You are. You ARE!!! You're afraid you'll get there and not be able to get back! HA!!! I'm telling everyone... You know what Olivia? I think for once you have a pretty good idea. Lucky you, my helmet is in the car and the company bikes are at our disposal. Let's do it! ...three miles later... Whoa. Why didn't you remember that the way to Dr. Tom's office is uphill and against the wind? I did remember, Olivia. Think how easy it will be on the way back! ...six miles later, coasting down an incline... Wheeeeeeeeeee.e.e.e.e.e.!!!! ...8.5 miles later... Now you're all sweaty and have helmet hair. Yeah. Isn't it grand?

Trinity Trails...the downhill view!

No More Tears

2011-04-07T11:30:00.000-07:00

Image courtesty amazon.com

Yes, I know I've posted here and elsewhere how it's about the healthy habits, the exercise, the journey...everything else besides The Number. I'm a [sometimes] fraud. Because when that number stalls and stays stalled for daysweeksmonths, it really stinks. It gets hard to stay positive, and the self incrimination tape starts rolling through your head. "I'm so fat. I'm a failure. I can't do this."

This time I didn't quit. I cried in front of folks at WW. I ranted and raved about the injustice of it all and the unfairness of the struggle. I hated the scale that just laughed at me and gave me a higher number even when I burned more calories than I ate.

And I kept going. I exercised. I counted every bite. I kept going. And this week, after all these weeksmonths, I saw results. 2.6 pounds down.

Patience

2011-03-24T19:24:00.000-07:00

"Patience is waiting. Not passively waiting. That is laziness. But to keep going when the going is hard and slow - that is patience." ~Unknown~

image courtesy of
Adventures in Babysitting

Now I just need to tattoo that quote on my forhead, or somehow inscribe it on my brain. It was an UGLY WI today, especially so because I was totally OP, didn't consume any extraneous calories, exercised every day and drank plenty of water. Seriously. How the heck did I gain 2 pounds? I just about lost it at WW. I was so upset...and I'm totally thankful for the wonderful friends I have there who offered encouragement and advice.

Sigh. I'm going down in history as the person who lost the last ten pounds over the longest time.

From One of My Favorite Bloggers

2011-03-21T10:05:00.000-07:00

Check him out here.

Achilles heel: Ice Cream

Battle cry: Bring It On.

Casket size: None -- I plan to donate my body to science and then be cremated.

Deformity: one ear is significantly lower than the other. To the point that when I make dangly earrings, one has an extra link in it.

Embarrassing nickname: Grace. Because I'm not. Graceful, that is.

Fish I’d most like to be if I were somehow, for some reason, forced to be turned into a fish: Mudskipper, because they show some inititive

Getaway route: Any path that will take me by a Carribean beach where I can become blissfully distracted

Hillbilly name (click here): Betty Rose Clementine

Inanimate object I most resemble: An hourglass

“Jack”, Favorite blogger named: That would be Jack Sh*t!, of course

Knot I have most trouble untying: Sheepshank.

Last lesson learned: Do not try to blend an entire blenderful of hot soup.

Middle letter of middle name: A

Nearest Chinese restaurant: P.F. Chang

Oldest person I know: My MIL -- She's actually older than my Grandma

Pancakes, Favorite topping for: pecans and maple syrup. The real stuff.

Quality I wish I had more of: patience

Rap artist I’d most like to chillax with: Usher. Is he a rap artist?

Salad dressing I despise most: Catalina

TV show I wish would disappear forever: All reality TV programs

Underwear, Favorite kind/color: Clean, nude

Vice that I wish I could do away with: talking too loudly

Website that I check first every day: blogger

Xerox, Funniest thing I’ve copied on: a fern frond

“Yes,” Dumbest thing to which I’ve answered: "Can you help with the Cookie Sale?"

Zombie, Favorite “brain” dish if I ever became a: scrambled

My Thoughts About Deprivation

2011-03-17T12:21:00.000-07:00

Today was Weigh-In Day, Chickies - down another 0.6 pounds! I'm celebrating every ounce!

Today's topic was Deprivation. Not the kind of deprivation that involves making whoopie on a trapeze or torturing small animals; rather, the mental part of losing weight. What makes us feel deprived? Why do we automatically crave chocolate the moment someone says "Oh, you shouldn't eat that"? It's a delima for sure, the contrariness of the human mind.

We need to allow ourselves to have food treats - there is absolutely nothing wrong with eating a piece of cake on your birthday, or having some icecream in the summer. However, we have to plan for these treats. Save up points or calories and work them into the weekly menu, or commit to the exercise necessary to burn off those extra calories. That's how I handle my treats. I exercise to earn the points, then indulge in a food treat.

The lovely sandwich above? That was my treat for the week. I ate one just like it (sans onions - blech!) for lunch today, piled high with veggies, banana peppers, turkey, ham and even cheese. It was worth 9 points for a half sandwich. I savored every bite, enjoyed the heck out of it. I also rode my bicycle for an hour, earning 8 points, making this a 1 point sandwich.

There is nothing about eating that we should feel guilty about. Everything is allowed in moderation - and I have to be willing to pay with either exercise or with a weight gain. I'll take the exercise, thank you.

A NSV and a Treat

2011-03-14T20:28:00.000-07:00

Trail Bridge...I rode here...

The topic last week at WW was celebrating victories and recognizing our own success. When you get towards the end of the weight loss phase of regaining your health, it gets harder and harder to shed the pounds. I lost my first 50+ pounds quickly and easily, gained some back and then lost some more. I'm down to the last fifteen pounds, and I've been battling them for more than a year now, shedding only ounces at a time. It gets discouraging.

One thing that helps is to celebrate NSVs, or "non-scale victories" instead of focusing on the snail pace of your weight loss. My NSV for today? I wore a fitted pencil skirt to work today, one with a regular waistband and not elastic, AND (you're going to laugh at this) I wore my shirt tucked in. I haven't worn a tucked in shirt in more than fourteen years.

Then, after WW and another succesful WI (-0.2 lb!) I treated myself to a long lunch with a bicycle ride on the Trinity Trails. These trails are a Fort Worth treasure, my friends, a treasure.

There are over 40 miles (FORTY MILES!) of trails along the Trinity River and its tributaries, both caliche gravel and concrete for walking, running, or cycling. We even see horsebck riders occasionally - this IS, after all, Fort Worth. Today I rode from my office to the Stockyards and back to the office. 8 miles, Chickies, 8 miles!

Trail by LaGrave Field. I rode here today, too!

PSA #2 - Exercising When Sick

2011-03-10T12:01:00.000-08:00

Hey Chickies! Many of us - or our kids - have been sick during the past few weeks. Many of us are working our tails off trying to shed the body clutter and reclaim our health. So what should we do when illness and exercise collide?

I wondered myself, so I did two things. Checked out info over at MayoClinic.com and called my Nurse Practicioner. They both said the same thing.

As a rule of thumb for exercise and illness:

It's okay to work out if your symptoms are "above the neck" — such as runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing or sore throat. Be prepared to reduce the intensity of your workout if needed, however.
Postpone your exercise if your symptoms are "below the neck" — such as chest congestion, hacking cough or upset stomach.
Don't exercise at all if you have a fever, fatigue or widespread muscle aches. (Gentle stretching is okay to help relieve the muscle aches.)

Mild to moderate physical activity is usually okay if you have a cold but no fever. Exercise may even help you feel better by temporarily relieving nasal congestion. If you choose to exercise when you're sick, listen to your body. If your symptoms get worse with physical activity, stop and rest.

Yes, rest. Your body is an amazing machine with self-healing super powers, but it needs rest to do its work. So if you feel like crud, don't go running! Resume your workout routine gradually as you begin to feel better.

Gradually is the name of my game this week. Half of my household, including me, has been sick for what seems like the entire month of February. Nothing serious, just a nasty energy draining mega snot producing upper respiratory virus that would not go away. It was bad. I did not exercise. I slept as much as possible, consumed gallons of fluids and let my body fight the germs and heal itself. I started exercising again this week. Slowly. Even though I feel better and am no longer coughing up a lung, I'm holding back a little bit. I pulled out my old C25K tracks and did week one pacing with walking and slow jogging. Next week I'll work out with Buff Chad, and then start ramping up the walking and running.

The ABC's of Me

2011-03-09T10:27:00.000-08:00

Jumping on the Bandwagon here...

A~Age: 47

B~Bed Size: Queen

C~Chore You Hate: Cleaning the oven. There’s no easy or comfortable way to bend yourself sideways, stretch over the open door and reach the back corners.

D~Dogs: Yes! Maxwell Noir. Wonderdog Extraordinaire. Then there's Bob the Cat...

E~Essential Start of Your Day: breakfast, which usually consists of steel cut oats with dried cherries, walnuts, brown sugar and a dash of cinnamon. As of today, I've given up coffee. EEEEK!!

F~Favorite Color: Green.

G~Gold or Silver: Silver – the platinum variety.

H~Height: 5'2'', 5'3" if I stretch

I~Instruments I Play: Clarinet(s), as in multiple ranges and piano

J~Job Title: Professional Engineer; Senior Project Manager

K~Kids: Four – ~~Teen~~ Adult Daughter #1, Teen Daughter#2, Teen Son#1 and Teen Son#2

L~Live: Texas

M~Mom’s Name: Geneva

N~Nicknames: Angie, Grace Grace? Yes, Grace. Because I'm not.

O~Overnight Hospital Stays: Only one, when Adult Daughter#1 was born, simply because she showed up after dinner and I had to wait until my Doctor made rounds the next morning to get discharged!

P~Pet Peeve: purposefully misspelled words, such as “Kwik”. Grrrr….it annoys me so much that I won’t patronize any establishment with a quirkily spelled word on their sign. Babies out in public with nothing on but a diaper. This list could expand exponentially over the next week. See "E" above.

Q~Quote(s) From a Movie: “You’re a legend in your own mind”, Sudden Impact

"Roads? Where we're going we don't need - roads." Back to the Future

R~Right or Left Handed: Right

S~Siblings: Sisters. Several of them. I’m the oldest and it shows!

T~Time You Wake Up: 5:30 am, even on weekends. I have a stubborn inner clock. Miss Olivia sets the alarm.

U~Underwear: clean

V~Vegetable you Dislike: None – at least none that I’ve tasted so far.

W~What Makes You Late: See Letter “K” above. Those first two in the list? They don’t subscribe to the brush-your-teeth-shove-on-a-headband-head-out-the-door philosophy of life.

X~X-rays You’ve Had: Not so sure of the total – dental over the years, broken foot once, broken thumb…

Y~Yummy Food You Make: Meatballs. According to Teen Sons, I make the best meatballs in the world. They are best leftover and stuffed into a sandwich roll with extra sauce and cheese.

Z~Zoo Animal Favorite: Giraffes!

My Nerd Queen Self Is Showing

2011-03-03T09:03:00.000-08:00

(For those who don't know, yes, I AM an engineer, complete with degree and license to practice.)

Celebrate!

Today's Workout - in Just a Shirt!

2011-02-14T11:55:00.000-08:00

HA! Made you look! Of course I was wearing pants! "Just a Shirt" as in, just a t-shirt, no fleece layer, no windbreaker. As in it is currently 67 degrees outside! As in this...

is how absolutely gorgeous the sky is today!

I really did help dig...I put the shovel down
for a minute to pick up the camera.

That tree? The week before Snowmageddon, we had a Tree Planting Party at work. We planted six oak trees, six red buds and three elm trees on the east side of our building. I planted the tree in the picture above. Well, actually, my teens and I dug the hole - several of the guys in the office put the tree IN the hole. I couldn't have lifted it without renting a piece of construction equipment.

Men At Work

Happy Valentine's Day, Chickies!

Conversations with the Inner Brat - Weigh In After the Storm

2011-02-10T11:45:00.000-08:00

It's Weigh In Day. Which of course means Olivia starts in the moment I woke up this morning. Oooooh! You're going to get it! You have to step on that scale today!Yes, Olivia, I know. And by the way, we're going to walk to the meeting. WALK? Are you nuts? It's cold! Really, really cold!Not cold enough to stop us, Olivia. Besides, the sun is shining! Isn't it grand? Yeahbut, last week you didn't get any serious exercise except for Monday because of the ice and snow. And you 'indulged' in a lot of treats. Like Italian Wedding Soup. And tortilla chips. And beer!I know, Olivia. That's why today we're facing the music, embracing our defeat. We're stepping on that scale and moving on. As we're waiting in line... Just tell the nice lady we don't want to weigh in today. Just to listen to Terri, share with everyone else and discuss the topic. No, Olivia. I'm taking off my shoes right now. [She Steps on the Scale.] Zero. No loss, no gain.

We'll take it.

What Engineers' Kids Do on Snow Days

2011-02-04T14:03:00.000-08:00

Snowmen are Overrated

p.s. Exercise Today? Walking in the snow, shoveling my driveway and umpteen loads of laundry as our teens wander in and out of the Great Snow

I'll Show You Mine...

2011-02-03T14:46:00.000-08:00

...and I'll tell you about it, too! WARNING!! Almost Explicit Images Below

I've been raving to my friends about my new Enell Bra, so I thought I'd share with the rest of my fitness followers about this incredible find. I'll just be straight up here - I'm a well endowed gal. The girls have shrunk considerably with my weight loss, but they are still substantial. I've run through the gamut of sports bras - UnderArmor, Champion, JogBra, Nike - and I have never found one that really does the job. Some are too compressive, to the point of pain, some don't have adjustable straps, some have so much elastic that you come away from a workout with chafe burns in delicate places. Most of the brands and styles I've tried just don't stop the bounce. And bounce, though it looks intriguing to the male bystander, just sucks the fun out your workout.

Then - insert angelic voices and sparkly light streaming down from heaven - I found Enell. According to the mission statement on their website, "Enell, Inc. is dedicated to providing well-endowed women with the opportunity to fully participate in an active lifestyle by offering state of the art, high quality performance apparel." Okay. Goody for them. But will that bra really work? YES!!!!! IT DOES!!! And you can get a PINK ONE!!

Sports bras do their job either through compression or encapsulation, smashing the boobs flat or holding them firmly with structurally reinforced rigid fabrics. Compression is uncomfortable, encapsulation makes you look like a Viking Warrior with pointy metal chest plates. Enell combines both methods, with remarkaby comfortable, supportive results!

The bra fits like a vest, with a long row of hooks up the front; the shape is the compression part. The inner fabric is silky against the skin with no stretch at all; this is the encapsulation. Put on one, and voila! No Bounce! NO BOUNCE I tell you! The snapshot on the right? You can see how much compression...I'm a DDD. (FYI, picture taken in our workout room at work, Buff Chad's playground where he makes us do stuff like punch that punching bag, do a bazillion reps on those machines or run on the treadmill that I'm standing on.)

Some words of warning. You need to try one on before you buy. The sizing charts on the website are pretty close, but you may need to go down or up a size. I needed to go down a size to get the right amount of support for me. They aren't available everywhere (yet!), so check the website for local retailers in your area. If you don't have a local retailer, order three bras from Enell, one size up, one size down and one just right, then return what doesn't fit. Finally, this wonderfulness is pricey. I paid $64 for mine. For no bounce workouts, it was worth every penny.

Check it out at http://www.enell.com/.

Conversations With the Inner Brat - Yes, It's Officially Cold

2011-01-12T13:25:00.000-08:00

I needed some sunshine today, Chickies, some good old vitamin D to cheer me up. So I decided to layer up and take to the streets.

Olivia came with me.

I get about a half mile from the office and she speaks up.

Walking outdoors was an incredibly stupid idea. You DO know that it is only 24 degrees, right?Yes, I know it's only 24 degrees. That's why I have several layers of clothing on, including that wicking fabric undershirt and lots of fleece. How far do we have to go? How long until you get frostbite?We're shooting for two and a half miles today, Olivia. That's because we got a late start and I have to get back to the office and finish that storm drain model this afternoon. I will not get frostbite. This is so dumb. You should go back to the office right now. What if Mr. W. calls and wants an answer about the gas line permit?If he does, then I'll call him back later. It's lunch time, which means I get a break. Away from the desk. And the phone. You have a snotcicle hanging from your nose.No I don't. Are we done yet?No. Are we DONE yet? I'm COLD.Almost. ARE WE DONE YET??Yes, Oliva. There's the office. And we didn't freeze to death.

See? Fleece is our Friend.

Happy New Year! and Fun With a Flat Iron

2011-01-05T12:14:00.000-08:00

Greetings, Chickies, and Happy New Year to You!

Don't you just love the fresh new start to a new year? Everyone is all excited about their new found resolve, you get to arm wrestle for the privledge of a parking space at the Y and Whooo-eee! Everyone and their brother is out running at lunch time. Including me.

Ran 2.3 miles in 27 minutes. Not a stellar speed, BUT I'm actually running again and there's no pain! I've consulted a trainer - sadly, not Buff Chad on this one - about my running hip pain, and she's made some suggestions for correcting my form, specifically my gait.

What's a Gait? Fancy biometric word that means the-way-you-step-on-the-ground. Basically, my ankles roll out (already knew that because I am constantly having the heel caps on my shoes replaced). It's especially noticable on the ankle I tore up several years ago, which in turn causes me to overextend the hip on the opposite leg. And I try to take too long of a step. SO! What's a woman to do? Concentrate on keeping the feet and ankles steady and take shorter steps. So far, so good.

Other running observations? It's Beautiful in North Central Texas! Blue Skies! But also cold. And I need to figure out what to wear running outside in the cold. I start out with my light fleece jacket, because I'm really cold, but then have to pull it off and tie it around my waist by the time I hit 1.5 miles. Then it's all floppy around my butt and annoying me. My sweat pants are too wide at the ankle and are threatening to trip me any minute. I think I'd like to have some tight legging sort of pants with a running skirt and several layered tees. The best article of clothing used today? Enell bra. I need to do a review of this amazing piece of architecture soon. What do the rest of you wear and how comfy is it?

Me. After running.
Before eating
and changing
back into work clothes

Flat Iron? I thought I'd tame the curls this morning with a flat iron. Not so sure I'm a fan of the look, but Teen Daughters squealed in delight when they saw me and Husband likes it too. LOL...see that streak over the top of my bangs? It's my Cruella DeVille streak. White over blonde. I'm impatiently waiting for all of my hair to be ~~shiny white~~ platinum blonde .

December 28 - Achieve - #Reverb10

2010-12-29T08:30:00.000-08:00

What’s the thing you most want to achieve next year? How do you imagine you’ll feel when you get it? Free? Happy? Complete? Blissful? Write that feeling down. Then, brainstorm 10 things you can do, or 10 new thoughts you can think, in order to experience that feeling today.

Reach Goal Weight! This is a no brainer. I’ve been building towards this goal for several years, and now I am READY!! I imagine I’ll feel elated, completely and totally over the moon. How can I capture some elation for today?

1. Sushi for lunch, a rare treat! (HA! Another Pun!)

2. Finishing the Christmas Happy New Year cards and letters for far away family and friends.

3. No dishes! Teen Son #1 did them!

4. Satsuma tangerines. They’re in season RIGHT NOW!

5. Finishing the design of a storm drain system I’ve been working on all week. Almost there…

6. A phone call with Mom.

7. Getting a two mile walk in between arriving home from work and dark, OR

8. Finding the flashlight for said walk, since it’s been missing since last weekend.

9. Grabbing twenty minutes before bedtime to finish a half strung necklace that has been sitting in my work box for eons.

10. Banana bread.

Image Courtesy http://www.price4antiques.com/

December 27 - Ordinary Joy - #Reverb10

2010-12-27T08:30:00.000-08:00

Our most profound joy is often experienced during ordinary moments. What was one of your most joyful ordinary moments this year?

I don’t even remember which Saturday it was, but it happened between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Our oldest daughter was home from college, everyone was over the creeping crud, the house was tidy, dinner was simmering in the oven, and I just stopped in that moment. Stopped still to look around my home, to see my husband and my children, and I had a moment of crystal clarity. I often chafe against the ordinariness of my life, but in that moment I saw its richness.

I am blessed.

December 25 - Photo, A Present to Yourself - #Reverb10

2010-12-25T08:30:00.000-08:00

Sift through all the photos of you from the past year. Choose one that best captures you; either who you are, or who you strive to be. Find the shot of you that is worth a thousand words. Share the image, who shot it, where, and what it best reveals about you

I LOVE this picture!! It’s my entire family, and yes, it captures me. I am Wife and Mother, and I love being surrounded by husband and kids.

Most of the time.

December 23 - New Name - #Reverb10

2010-12-23T08:30:00.000-08:00

New Name Let’s meet again, for the first time. If you could introduce yourself to strangers by another name for just one day, what would it be and why?

Olivia Jane.

Yes, I know that’s the name of my Inner Brat. I admire my Olivia because she’s undaunted by the world, sassy and willing to speak out, even if it is just to tempt me. I’d like to be sassier, to be able to tell it like it I see it, instead of tempering for politeness.

HA!!

2010-12-20T11:47:00.000-08:00

It lights up!

Seriously!

December 20 - Beyond Avoidance - #Reverb10

2010-12-20T08:30:00.000-08:00

What should you have done this year but didn’t because you were too scared, worried, unsure, busy or otherwise deterred from doing? (Bonus: Will you do it?)

Vacation. Dear Husband desperately wanted to take some time off this year and go somewhere. It's been more than four years since either of us has taken a break from work. Well, two years ago we drove halfway across the country to visit his Mom, but we spent the entire ten days painting, cleaning, tearing down her decrepit shed and repairing her basement sump. AND sorting through years of papers trying to figure out the status of her bank account, health insurance, house insurance, taxes and other stuff. It wasn't very relaxing, nor was it fun.

So - why didn't we go? Money. Had to send boatload of cash (our vacation fund) to same Mom to repair roof and the interior ceiling because she never told us it was leaking and the whole thing collapsed. Time - we were prepping for oldest child to leave for college this fall. Illness - yeah, the big C scare took many weeks of doctor consults and then recovery from the ulitmate surgery was a little rougher than I expected.

Will we go? Not this year. But next year - ah, we have a plan in place, and high hopes for success.

December 18 - Try - #Reverb10

2010-12-18T08:30:00.000-08:00

What do you want to try next year? Is there something you wanted to try in 2010? What happened when you did / didn’t go for it?

Oh, this one is EASY. I want to try running again. Yes, I tried in 2010, and then stopped because of arthritis and injury. I took up speedwalking instead, which helped to build endurance. In 2011, I'm getting some 'professional' support so I can ease into running more carefully. I plan to RUN - not walk - a 5K in October.

Conversations with the Inner Brat

2010-12-15T11:20:00.000-08:00

My conversation with Miss Olivia went something like this today.

You can't go running today. The only clothes in your bag are HOT clothes.

Olivia, they are not hot clothes. They are fleece clothes. I forgot to switch them to lighter layers after I heard the weather report this morning.

But you're going to get SWEATY.

The fleece pants may get a little soaked around the waistband. I do have a short sleeve t-shirt in that bag, though, and that should help. Besides, there's a shower downstairs and I can clean up when I get back.

You didn't bring SOCKS!

I know. *sigh* It became a complicated morning when Teen Son#1 announced that he Had to be at school early today, ten minutes before we usually start loading the car. My running shoes are pretty much ~~broken down~~ well worn and I don't think lack of socks will be a problem for the short run I have planned.

But it's WINDY, and your hair will get messed up!

Go play with someone else today, Olivia. I'm going for a run.

Some days are easier than others when it comes to Miss Olivia. She knows every excuse under the sun and can cajole, whine and run her sassy mouth until the cows come home. She can justify eating chocolate cake and can convince me to skip Body Pump. She challenges me every second that I'm awake.

I won today. Two miles in 26 minutes.

(image of "Fancy Nancy" aka, Miss Olivia, My Inner Brat, from Harper Collins Children's Books, by Jane O'Connor, Illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser)

December 14 - Appreciate - #Reverb10

2010-12-14T08:00:00.000-08:00

What’s the one thing you have come to appreciate most in the past year? How do you express gratitude for it?

Only ONE thing? Okay. We'll just skip the usual God-husband-kids-home and get straight to the crux. The one that that I have come to appreciate this year is continued support and inspiration I get from total strangers as I work my way towards a long, healthy life. Charlie, Lynn, and Jack Sh*t.

Bitchcakes.Doc Fatty.Mrs. Fatass.JBS.Christine. I can only hope that I've given a little back.

December 13 - Action - #Reverb10

2010-12-13T08:00:00.000-08:00

When it comes to aspirations, it’s not about ideas. It’s about making ideas happen. What’s your next step?

A step. Literally. Step out the door and start running again. Slowly this time, with no injuries.

And I seriously think that pink shoes would make it easier, don't you?

December 10 - Wisdom - Reverb10

2010-12-10T18:39:00.000-08:00

What was the wisest decision you made this year, and how did it play out?

I actually think I'm pretty smart, but not always very wise. Especially when it comes to my own health. Sometimes I suprise myself, though.

This year's moment of wisdom was not ignoring some odd things going on, not pretending it was nothing and hauling myself to the doctor. Good thing. Turns out I had a very large tumor. It was benign (Praise God!), but if I had ignored it, the complications could have been a lot worse.

Flogging 101

2010-12-10T18:17:00.000-08:00

What I've Learned by Flogging

by Angela Pea

1. I cannot lie to myself. There is no cheating in flogging because it will show on my ass and then Husband and Teen Daughters will KNOW! (Teen Sons don't care. Actually Husband doesn't care, either, but I DO.)

2. I eat when I'm bored or stressed out. And that stress thing happens a lot when you're a Wife and Mom to four teens who also happens to work full time.

3. I am too old to remember stuff anymore. Which means...

4. I have to keep my Flog at hand. When I used paper, I carried it everywhere. Now I'm electronic, and can access the Flog whenever I'm by a computer. I slapped an app onto my phone to use on the go. I use it religiously.

5. There is no going back. Once a Flogger, always a Flogger. But that's okay. I can live with that.

Flogging = Food Logging. I use WW Online.

Learning to Run Again - Christmas Trees!

2010-12-08T12:00:00.000-08:00

Greetings Chickies!

It's a beautiful day here in north central Texas, perfect weather for getting outside and moving our rear ends!

I did a 5K at lunchtime today, finishing in...

...Drumroll Here...

40 minutes!!

From my office to the Optimist Club Christmas Tree lot on University and back. Yes, I ran/walked down there just to smell the Christmas trees. We've had an artificial tree for more than a decade now thanks to ever increasing allergies in Husband and Offspring, and I MISS that wonderful smell! The guy gave me a branch to bring back and scent my office.

Getting there was much easier than coming back, because, well I was carrying a Christmas tree branch, and I was tired and hungry! I really should eat something before I head out the door.

December 8 - Beautifully Different - #Reverb10

2010-12-08T08:00:00.000-08:00

Think about what makes you different and what you do that lights people up. Reflect on all the things that make you different – you’ll find they’re what make you beautiful.

What do I do that lights people up? I could go all risque and naughty and limit the definition of "people" to my Dear Husband, but no, you really don't want those details, now do you?

So how do I light other people up, besides my DH? I honestly have to say it's my unending enthusiasm and genuine happiness for other people's successes. Really! I'm the best cheerleader that I know (sans the pleated mini skirt) and I can pull the best out of almost anyone.

Almost? Yeah. Teen Son#2 seems to be immune to my powers of persuasion. *sigh*

Image courtesy Cheerleader City

Back Among the Living

2010-12-06T11:41:00.000-08:00

I am back among the living, and darned happy to be here! I hate hate hate having a cold or any other sort of respiratory issues. I used two (TWO!) entire large family sized boxes of kleenex last week while in the office. Seriously. How can one head produce that much snot?

It's glorious today, so I went outside for a run during lunch. Yep. Ran to the bank. Ran over to Sundance to smile at the Christmas Tree. Ran up the block to Uno's to smell the pizza and then ran back to the office.

Lovely.

December 2 - Writing - Reverb10

2010-12-02T08:00:00.000-08:00

Writing.

What do you do each day that doesn’t contribute to your writing — and can you eliminate it?

Work. I work every day, in an office, designing streets and sidewalks and storm drains and waterlines and sewerlines, and parks and airports.

Can I eliminate it? At this moment in my life, no, I can't. Dear Husband and I have a housefull of offspring who need shoes, food and an education. But someday, I will. And then, THEN! To steal a few words from Dr. Seuss, Oh The Places I'll Go! The Things I'll Do! I want to be a teacher. I want to publish something. I want to go places.

Do I sit around now moping over what I don't have and griping because I need to work? NO WAY!! First of all, I really do like what I do for a living. I love moving around Fort Worth and the surrounding communities and seeing things that I designed, permanent things that benefit my community. Been to the Fort Worth Zoo lately? How do you like the Asian Falls area? I designed that. Flown in or out of DFW Airport or Alliance? Your aircraft rolled over runways, taxiways, and parking aprons that I designed. Do your kids get their education at one of the new schools in Keller or Saginaw? You can thank me for the fact that there is an adequate water supply system in place to cover any fire that may break out. How do you like the new facilities at the Fort Worth Nature Center? The marvelous new drainage channels in Arlington?

I'm working for that someday! I volunteer as a mentor and advisor UTArlington, teaching Senior Project. I write for this blog, practicing spelling and grammar and polishing my 'voice' for my someday publishing project.

Someday will get here...someday....and I'll be ready.

Image courtesy of Wikimedia. And Yes, I actually do write with a fountain pen.

Stuff It, Miss Olivia!

2010-12-01T18:15:00.000-08:00

Miss Olivia is my Inner Brat. She ~~sometimes~~ totally annoys the heck out of me. For instance - when I start thinking about working out, Miss Olivia starts whispering the one hundred and ten other things that I should be doing in my head. You should do the laundry first. Mr. Pea needs clean shirts. No, you really need to sweep the floor right now. Oh! And you promised to update the Altar Server schedule this week, and you still need four more volunteers for Christmas Eve. You need to bathe the dog instead of taking Lady P. for a cruise aroud the neighborhood.

I've been sick this week. Really sick with a horrible respiratory virus, the kind that started as a little cold and quickly escalated into something nasty. With fever. I have a horribly stuffed head (with requisite headache) and just walking up the stairs to my office has me wheezing and coughing and my head pounding.

So what does Miss Olivia nag me about today? It's BEAUTIFUL outside! Yeah, it really is. *cough* You should go for a walk! It's so pretty outside!Go Away, Olivia. No Really! You should just put on your sneakers and go outside. Walk to the Library.Olivia, I cannot walk to the Library. I just want to sit here quietly and read this Request for Qualifications.And pop another mucinex and drink this nice cup of hot tea. Awww, Come On! Blue skies, cool air, warm sun on your face...you should go for a walk. Walk to the collisuem and back. It's only 5K. Olivia, I CAN NOT walk today. I think I would collapse halfway across the bridge and then have to be carted to the hospital in an ambulance. Ambulance? With flashy lights? Ooooo! THAT could be fun, and then we could - STUFF IT, OLIVIA! And pass me another tissue.

December 1 - One Word - Reverb10

2010-12-01T08:00:00.000-08:00

What's that old saying, Day Late and a Dollar short? Uh yeah. That would be me. Mostly because I'm totally unhip, and only catch on to cool stuff when my Teens point it out to me. Or when it smacks me upside the head.

Have I ever mentioned that I'm a planner? No? Well, it's true. I use lists for everything, make plans for every event, practice responses to questions, and keep my pantry in alphabetical order. Being so uptight about having a plan, I also tend to obsess about how to make things better, faster, more efficient. This works GREAT for my chosen career (civil engineer), and now there's a nifty little meme out there that offers a little retrospective planning advice for LIFE.

Reverb10. Oh Baby. I'm in.

from the website - "Reverb 10 is an annual event and online initiative to reflect on your year and manifest what’s next. Use the end of your year as an opportunity to reflect on what's happened, and to send out reverberations for the year ahead. With Reverb 10 - and the 31 prompts our authors have created for you - you'll have support on your journey."

Support on Your Journey. I feel like Charlie Brown yelling "THAT'S IT!!" So Here We Are.

December 1 - One Word

Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you?

Worry. That's a heavy word for an eternal optimist, but it rings true for 2010. This year has been filled with so many worries - MIL's failing health; the economy in general; launching our firstborn into the world; a cancer scare; continuing concern for the weak point in that blood vessel in my brain; our lastborn's struggles with school; job security; Husband's heart - his actual heart, not his love!

I was just talking with Dear Husband about this last night, and he was nothing but reassuring, which is a complete one-hundred-eighty-degree-turn from our normal roles. For the past quarter of a century, I've been the one to remind him that we are strong and capable, that we serve a loving God and that there is nothing we can't figure out together. Now we're flipped, which is weird.

This time next year, I want my word to be ~~surrvived~~ enough. Enough as in, "Enough! We're Done!"

Enough as in, "Enough. We have enough - we are happy, healthy and loved."

Image courtesy Gary Woltran .

Exercise Efforts for Today - the Turkey Bowl!

2010-11-19T13:08:00.000-08:00

Today was the TNP Annual Turkey Bowl Flag Football Championship. The winners get to brag for a year and walk away from the field with muddy shoes.

Nothing like football in the mud for team building.

TNP Cheerleaders

Halftime Interview with Buff Chad
If you zoom in, I am on the far right hand side of the picture, behind the girls in front who are wearing jeans. I have on a white tee shirt (duh) and dark sunglasses.

Look! I'm on the left hand side of the shot, turning my head and running the play just the way the guys told me!
Don't I look all officially football-like?

The Referee got thrown into the mud hole as part of The Fun Team's Victory Celebration.
I'm helping her to plan some sort of revenge. Updates will be posted.

TNP Turkey Bowl 2010

Turkey Bowl = Mudfest!

2010-11-19T08:36:00.000-08:00

I just walked down the back stairway to survey and got stopped in my tracks. Shock, Chickies, pure, unadulterated shock.

Ft. Worth's finest have been coerced by Team Fun to instigate a MUDBOWL! Our football field is now a PUDDLE!!

I'll be back later...with more pictures

Learning to, Uh...Play Football

2010-11-12T12:02:00.000-08:00

The names have been drawn. The teams are determined. It's Turkey Bowl time at the office.

Turkey Bowl? Yup. We sell squares, divide into teams, do a lot of trash talking, make up silly endzone dances for extra points and then play an AWESOME game of flag football on the Friday before Thanksgiving. One of our landscape architects is a real announcer for a local ISD - he brings his audio setup and calls the game. We set up the video cameras and broadcast the game to our sattelite offices. The Survey crews fire up their grill and serve hotdogs. Many wagers are made, won and lost, and a good time is had by all. All winnings are gathered into a big envelope and donated to Cook Children's Hospital.

Today I spent an hour practicing flag football with the guys - I even scored a touchdown! This is huge Chickies, HUOOOOOGE!! Last year I could hardly run crossways over the field. I sprinted over the goal line today. I'm pretty sure they 'let' me run all the way, but hey, I'll claim it!

SO...if you just happen to be in the neighborhood on the southwest corner of downtown Fort Worth next Friday, come watch us play! Buff Chad will be here. You can cheer on The Ball Hogs (my team) and toss a few bucks into the kitty for Cook Children's while you're here!

What I Saw Today...Walking on Errands and Other Exercise

2010-11-04T06:48:00.000-07:00

I try to run my errands during my lunch time, so that the Teens have my undivided attention in the evenings during peak homework time. It has occured to me that a) I am privleged to work in a gorgeous urban environment; b) I can step outdoors now without the overwhelming sensation of being roasted alive; and c) a LOT of my errand locations are within a three mile radius of my office. I bet you can see where this is leading...

Yesterday I needed to visit the running store to replace my stretched out, overly large sports bra. I pulled up Google Earth, did a quick measurement and bam! The store is only two miles away. Certainly not worth firing up the car engine, so I walked there! For the curious among you, I'm trying a new brand of bra, Enell, thanks to several personal recommendations. I'll post my own review here later after I've given my new uber encapsulating structural support system a good tryout.

This snapshot doesn't do the scenery justice (danged phone camera) but you get the idea. This is the Alien Light Beam* building, reflecting the gorgeous rain swept sky. The blue sky and purple clouds were just perfect!

Today I need to visit a local shop to stock up on spices for baking season. It's a trickier route because of traffic, but I think I'll walk anyway.

*At night, the entire top of this building is lit up like an enormous flashlight beaming into space. You can actually see the light piercing upwards into the stratosphere. AND...the light is colored. Seriously. Purple on TCU game weekends, Blue and Red for the Rangers, Red and Green at Christmas, Pink during October for Breast Cancer Awareness, Red White and Blue in July. Strangest bit of architectural frou-frou I've ever seen.

Catch Up and Race Results!

2010-10-25T12:04:00.000-07:00

October is crazy. Two of our offspring have birthdays days apart, there are two large Church and School events that require our volunteer time, football season and general Home Keeping fills our October calendars to the brim. I've hardly had time to exercise, much less blog about it!

Me and Teen Daughter#2, Post Race

The 5K was fabulous! I finished in 39:12, quite respectable for a walker. I was SO NERVOUS before the race. I kept looking around and seeing all these folks who were obviously serious runners. What was I doing there??

I started at the back of the pack, and once I settled down and realized that nobody was laughing at me, I actually managed to pass a whole bunch of little kids, and even an adult or two!

I can't wait to do another race.

Teens with their trophies

Teen Son#1 finished second in his age group - 21:24. Teen Daughter #1 finished first in her age group with 31:17!

The overall winner? A friend of Teen Daughter #2. This young man finished in 19:00 flat.

Friday! Friday! Friday!

2010-10-08T09:30:00.000-07:00

Greetings, Chickies! Yes, it's Friday! My favorite day of the week. Seriously - what's not to love?

Teens usually don't have homework that requires me to read several chapters in their texts to refresh my aged memory before I can answer "How To" homework questions. (For crying out loud - it's been TWENTY SEVEN years since I took Calculus!)
The entire weekend with all the fun is just laying there smiling at me, all ready to enjoy.
Friday is my clear-the-in-box-and-filing day, and there is hardly anything I like better than a tidy desk. Unless it's Lady Penelope.

Lady Penelope - that's what I named the Pink Cruiser. Thanks to Carmen at Eat Some More for the marvelous idea! I totally LOVED the Thunderbirds television show when I was a kid, and the recent movie wasn't too shabby, either. Lady P and I have traveled more than twenty five miles this week! That's a pretty concerted effort considering that our together time is limited to those few precious minutes every evening between dinner and dark. We go really fast around the neighborhood to get those miles in.

Aside - I totally forgot how hard it is to ride a cruiser up hills. I wasn't kidding about derailleures being for wimps!

No news on actually losing any more poundage - holding steady at 165. However I've made it to the size 10 jeans. Really! And they aren't too tight! Of course, they made from a sort of stretchy denim and have a quasi-designer label so I may just be deluded by vanity sizing. So, what does this mean? I'm now officially Changing the Goal to Size 8 and 145 pounds. Twenty down, Twenty to go!

P.S. I run my first "official" 5K tomorrow!! With a number and everything!

Derailleurs are for WIMPS!

2010-09-30T12:12:00.000-07:00

Hey Chickies! My Birthday Extravaganza got an extension. Why?

Because of THIS!

Yes. That's a PINK bicycle in my living room.

A magnificent suprise from my parents!

The parental units came down for a visit last weekend, and we were talking about exercise. I was telling my Mom about how I try to get some every day (exercise - get your mind out of the gutter!) Teen Son#2 then chimed in, "yeahbut, she doesn't ride with us anymore because the brakes and gears on her bicycle are always broken." Then I started yacking about how I'm getting too old for that hard, skinny racing seat; about how it's too uncomfortable to ride all hunched over any more; blah, blah, blah. Just general conversation that quickly moved on to other topics. Fast forward a few days.

I got an email yesterday afternoon directing me to my local WallyWorld for a pickup. I needed gas in the car anyway, so I headed over there right after work. I wandered back to the shipping and recieving area and handed the email receipt to the lady behind the counter. The crate that was hauled out of the storage area was labeled "Schwinn" and "27" Ladies Bicycle". I loaded it in the van and took it home, then recruited all available teens to help me get the crate open. You should have heard the squeals of delight from Teen Daughter#2 and me when we opened the box and pulled out the packing material to reveal a PINK bicycle frame!! Yes!!

She's a plain, regular cruiser that has no gears, no switches, no pull wires, nothing that can put her out of commission! She has a wide, squishy seat, and tall handle bars that let me drive sitting straight up. I got put her together in less than thirty minutes and was off on a ride with my kids before it got completely dark outside.

I've had a silly grin on my face all day. All I need now is a name for her.

Thanks, Mom and Dad!

Today - A Couple More Reasons to Cheer

2010-09-29T11:12:00.000-07:00

Reason #4 - Current Temperature at 1:12 pm - 79!!! Reason #5 - 5K in 38 minutes.

Today...A Reason (or Two or Three) to Cheer

2010-09-29T07:17:00.000-07:00

Reason #1 - it's still below 90 degrees in North Central Texas!! Reason #2 - 5K at lunchtime. (Yesssssah!) Reason #3 -

This what I'm wearing at work today, and they are NOT tight.

Whoot! - My First Award!

2010-09-27T10:25:00.000-07:00

Now I feel like an official Blogger. Vickie at Cupcakes & Veggies gave me the "Happy 101" Award. Suits me just fine, since I'm just a happy person. Seriously, Chickies - I wake up smiling. Drives my family nuts.

So. Apparently there are rules that go along with the award. Pretty simple as far as rules go. I think I can follow them.

1. Post who gave the award - done.

2. List 10 things that make me happy - See below.

3. Pass on the award to 10 other bloggers - Oooh! Working on that. Check back for an update!

Things That Make Angela Pea Happy - In No Particular Order

1. A Clean House, especially if someone besides me cleans it2. New Shoes3. Lists! Love me some Lists! 4. Sewing, uninterrupted5. Being the "low bidder" on one of my projects - hate when that happens, so embarrassing6. My Children, all four of them, and even though they are teenagers7. My Husband, naturally8. Cheese - the little cartoon guy, not the dairy product, though it can occasionally make me smile, too9. Did I mention New Shoes?10. Exercise. Yeah, I'll actually say it out loud, because it really does make me happy now.

Will Summer Please Just GO AWAY?!?

2010-09-24T11:29:00.000-07:00

Seriously, Chickies. It just needs to leave. Still flying on my post Body Pump adrenelin high, I thought I would head out and do a 5K at lunchtime today. Can we say "HUOOOOOOOMID"? Can we say "HOT"? Made it out and back in 39 minutes (again). I've been trying - unsuccessfully - to take a picture of the back of my head with my cell phone so that you can see that my hair is literally dripping. Such an endeavor requires an extra three foot long arm and I don't have one on me.

I'll leave you with this.

My Nerdy Engineer Desk

Body Pump = Fabulous!

2010-09-23T20:00:00.000-07:00

Me..in the car..Glowing..
post Body Pump

I've been playing along with the Body Pump class at my Y for several weeks now, and I can't say enough good about it. Fabulous for toning my flabby parts. Fabulous for my attitude, because it's just too cool to be throwing that weight bar around like I were some sort of maniac. Or a Buff Chad devotee.

Also? The whole class plus the extra fifteen minutes of ab crunching that Kari insists on is worth 8 WW activity points.

Progress Pictures

2010-09-21T20:35:00.000-07:00

Ha! For the conclusion of my birthday extravaganza, I sat on my duff and searched through some old photos to find pictures of me at my heaviest. Seriously? There aren't many. I avoided cameras like the plague. Looking at these pictures, I amaze myself with the progress!

May 2005, at my heaviest, 223 pounds. That poor piano bench!

(That's Teen Daughter#2)

May 2006 - At this point, I had started working on my health, just a little bit.

Christmas 2006. I found out earlier this year that I have Type II Diabetes, and had finally gotten very serious about exercising and watching what I ate.

(That's Mr. Pea with me, not some random stranger I met a the office Christmas Party.)

Now...there's a long gap in the timeline here without any pictures because a) the camera bit the dust; and b) by the end of the gap, I was fat again! I worked my way down to 159 pounds by the summer of 2007 and held it there for a little over a year. By January of 2009, I was up to about 165. By December of 2009, I was all the way back to 185. Right after Christmas, spurred on by a well-intentioned but still hurtful comment from Mr. Pea and still reeling from the aftereffects of my stroke, I had a major discussion with myself.

Me: "Self? You do know you can't go on like this, right?"

Self: "Uh, yeah. I'm tired of feeling tired. I'm really tired of looking at you and seeing rolls."

Me: "What do you mean your're tired of seeing rolls!? You have no right to criticize!"

Self: "Yeah? So what are you going to do about this?"

I joined Weight Watchers. I forced myself to move. I started running, then picked up speedwalking.

May 2010, 179 pounds - On my way. Thank you exercise! Thank you healthy food choices!

Today. Yes, I know I'm cutting a cake for crying out loud!

Not the best example for healthy eating, but it IS my birthday today, and my children made this cake for me, from scratch; they even make those tasty truffles decorating it.

Truth be told? I only ate a tiny piece. Teen sons will polish this cake off tomorrow after bike riding and football practice. They can do that eating cake thing. I choose not to.

It's My Birthday!

2010-09-21T09:09:00.000-07:00

View from Bridge

And how ~~will~~ did I celebrate? By doing a 5K at lunchtime! It's perfect weather today with cloud cover so the temperature is hanging out in the 80's instead of the 90's. Made it out and back in...wait for it...wait for it...THIRTY NINE MINUTES!!!!

What a great way to turn another year.

View from the Halfway Point

Zumba!

2010-09-19T14:30:00.000-07:00

Me! Sweat and All!

As part of the ongoing Birthday Extravaganza (I like to stretch out my birthday for as long as possible) I went to the Y today for Zumba class...sans offspring! Which means I got to drive home after without listening to all the commentary from the back seat - start reading with a whiney teen son voice here - "Moooom! why did that took so-o-o-o-o-o lo-o-o-o-ong?"

PSA #1 - BMI vs. Body Fat Percentage - Huh?

2010-09-15T14:14:00.000-07:00

BMI or Body Mass Index was developed by Belgium statistician Adolph Quelet in the 1800’s. His intent was this tool was to be used to measure the obesity of the general population, not the fatness of an individual. That being said, since many people and even physicians still use this measurement, here is the formula for calculating your BMI and what the results mean.

Basic BMI Formula

(weight in pounds x 703) / (height in inches) squared

Example, using my own (gasp!) stats

(165 X 703) /(64x64) = 115995 /4096 = 28.3

BMI Interpretation

Below 18.5 = Underweight
18.5 - 24.9 = Normal
25 - 29.9 = Overweight
30 & above = Obese

According to the basic BMI formula, I am still Overweight. It's no longer Obese, but even so, I resent that Overweight label. Really, I DO! I'm down to a size 10 dress pant. That isn't overweight in my book. So I dug a little deeper to see if there was another measurement that would take into account actual body fat and how it's distributed over the body. I found it - it's called Body Fat Percentage.

Body Fat Percentage

Body fat percentage is the percentage of total body weight comprised of fat. The best way to determine this is with pinch measurements, an immersion tank and one of those spiffy scales that sends an electric current through your body and magically determines how much of you is actual fat. Most of us don't have access to such equipment, so here's a formula that will give you a quick and dirty answer, along with an interpretation of the results.

Body Fat Percentage Formula for Women
Abbreviations:

F1, etc = Factor 1, etc
TBW = Total Body Weight
LBM = Lean Body Mass
BFW = Body Fat Weight

The Formula:

F1: (TBW x 0.732) + 8.987
F2: Wrist measurement (at fullest point) / 3.140
F3: Waist measurement (at naval) x 0.157
F4: Hip measurement (at fullest point) x 0.249
F5: Forearm measurement (at fullest point) x 0.434
LBM = F1 + F2 –F3 – F4 + F5
BFW = TBW – LBM
Body Fat Percentage = (BFW x100) divided by TBW

Me, September 15, 2010

F1: (165 x 0.732) + 8.987 = 129.767
F2: 6.25 / 3.140 = 1.99
F3: 31 x 0.157 = 4.867
F4: 41 x 0.249 = 10.209
F5: 10.1 x 0.434 = 4.383
LBM = 129.767 + 1.99 – 4.867 – 10.209 + 4.386 = 121.067
BFW = 165 – 121.067 = 43.933
Body Fat Percentage = (43.933 x 100) /165 = 26.62%

Body Fat Percentage Interpretation for Women

10-12% = Essential fat necessary to stay alive
14-20% = Professional and Amateur Athletes
21-24% = Fitness Buffs
25-31% = Acceptable
32-41% = Overweight
42% or Higher = Obese

BMI VS Body Fat Percentage

BMI is the most widely use indicator of weight status but it really isn't very useful because it doesn't take into account bone mass, muscle mass or actual fat as it lies on your body. Bones are denser than muscles and twice as dense as fat. Body builders and other hyped up exercise maniacs, like Buff Chad have a high BMI without being the least bit obese. In fact, Buff Chad WORKS at keeping his BMI around 34 (crazy!) According to the

calculations above, I am in the overweight category in the BMI chart, but I come out in the acceptable range in body fat percentage.

I continue to work on my overall health, with plenty of exercise and responsible food consumption. And no cookies. My ulitmate goal will put me in the normal BMI range and in the normal body fat range. For now, though, I'm happier considering the Body Fat Percentage over the BMI: it's a more realistic snapshot of how I really look and feel.

Note: Both the BMI and the Body Fat Percentage are just a couple of quasi-accurate measurements to give you an idea of your overall heath and a starting point for your health goals. If you fall into the obese categories, it would be wise to consult your Doctor for some very specific guidelines for nutrition, exercise and possibly medications.

Learning to Run - The Red Hat

2010-09-13T20:30:00.000-07:00

Teen Daughters #1 and #2

Greetings, Chickies! Saturday's Fun Run was, well, FUN!!! It wasn't a full 5K, the weatherman cooperated and provided us with a sun damping cloud cover, and the company - Husband, Teen Daughters #1 and #2, Teen Son #2, Husband's fellow employees - was unmatched.

Did I make it? You betcha. I also learned that running in an organized fun run is not as easy as it looks. There are a lot of people in your way, and you really have to pay attention so that you don't run over someone or get trampled yourself! I finished in 23 minutes, alternating tripping over dogs and strollers, speedwalking, and then sprinting the last quarter mile. That finish line - what an amazing thing to cross my first finish line! There was a cheering squad there smiles, high fives, "Way to Gos" and a drink of water.

And I was wearing a red hat.

That red hat meant something. Something to everyone who saw me, a symbol to the world. You see, when we signed in, we were all asked, "Have you had a heart attack or a stroke?" I responded honestly, "Yes. I had a minor stroke eighteen months ago," and the gentleman handed me the hat. "Wear This", he said, "Let everyone know you're a surrvivor!". A surrvivor? Me? I purposely never think about the stroke. I push it out of my mind, stifle the memory, ignore it. I recovered, except for a small balance problem and occasional lost words. Stroke? What stroke?

Yep. That's me in the red hat.

Then I looked around, and noticed the red hats everywhere. Red hats on people who look like Iron Man competitors, red hats on folks like me who are still working on rebuilding their health. Red hats on elderly walkers, even a red hat on a baby in a stroller. These red hats represent all these people who have had a heart attack or a stroke - and I'm one of them. It can't be denied. I have an MRI that shows that spot in my brain where it happened. Something came undone in my gut as I crossed that finish line wearing my red hat. I finally recognize that I have come a l-o-n-g way in these eighteen months. I've lost more than twenty pounds, bringing my grand total to fifty eight pounds from my all time high weight. I can make it through an entire Body Pump or Zumba class without stopping, I can speedwalk 5K in less than 45 minutes.

I wear a red hat. I am a surrvivor...and I have Learned to Run!

Learning to Run - Tomorrow!

2010-09-10T07:19:00.000-07:00

Hi Chickies! It's the Friday check-in, and I'm once again wearing those skinny jeans, sitting comfortably in my chair without the button digging into my belly. *bliss*

It's been a so-so week for food choices and exercise. Today I give myself a mental talking-to and move on. Move being the operative word there.

I'm speedwalking a 5K tomorrow morning, training for my official 5K in October. Go Me

No, not me...but could be, except for the long hair, and the obvious northern tuype landscaping in the background. Picture the same with shorter hair, and dead trees-brown grass that haven't yet recovered from the summer heat wave. THAT would be me.

Learning to Run - DONE! - and a Big Time Happy Dance!

2010-09-03T10:48:00.000-07:00

Happy Dance? Why? Because a) it's Friday and I'm looking at a three day weekend; b) the temperature has dropped below 100 degrees again - in fact, it's below ninety!; and c) I pulled out my jeans to wear to work today and they DIDN'T FIT!

Usually, non-fitting pants would send me into a snit, complete with self-loathing and a day spent in a foul temper. This morning I just grinned, jumped up and down all over the bedroom and dragged my Husband out of the shower just to show him the FOUR INCH gap in the waistband! Seriously! I haven't worn jeans since summer began back at the end of March, and these were really, really tight last spring. They were so tight that I couldn't wear them all day long without being majorly uncomfortable. I tossed them in the floor, pulled out an old pair of size 12, non-stretch skinny jeans and oh-my-gosh they fit. They fit LOOSELY!! I can do situps in these - sit cross legged on the floor - probably even do a back flip if I knew how to do a back flip! I am grinning from ear to ear today!

I have officially completed the Learning to Run Program and can now run a 5K. I did the final training segment yesterday and finished in 41:23 minutes! Need to shave two more minutes off the time and I'm ready for the race in October.

Sunday, Sunday! - and a Suprise Milestone!

2010-08-29T17:49:00.000-07:00

Logged onto WW this evening to track my food, exercise and weight, and Taa-Daa! When I put my weight in I got a spiffy Bronze star! 10% of my body weight lost. Who knew it came with a star!

I went to Zumba class again today at the Y. LOVE IT! I tried to convince Teen Daughter #2 to come into the studio with me, but she wanted to run on the elliptical and lift weights. Chicken!

Learning to Run - Week 8 - Speedwalk Session 3 - Whoo-eeee!

2010-08-27T11:39:00.000-07:00

Lord love a Duck, it's HOT again! So what do I do? Go outside at lunch time and hustle my franny in a 41:22 minute 5K! Really! Here's the proof...

That's me. All ~~sweaty~~ glowing from the amazing physical activity.

Chickies - you know I love you all, because it took me at least seventeen tries to get that picture of myself with my phone. I see my teens take self portraits all the time, and they get the cutest pictures! I try it and get some smeary mess, or have the angle be so odd that my eyes look like possessed beings, or have my head shoved so far into my neck that you can see quadruple chins.

Don't you just LOVE my purple glasses? My favorite pair. They set off my green eyes...or so I tell myself. What did you do today to Bless Your Body?

P.S. Hop over to OSCBB (see button at left, or just click here) to read Charlie's latest adventures and to meet some fantastic people in Meet Up Thursday. Ooooh, did I say Fantastic? I meant FABulous, especially since the charming LT is featured, as well as Yours Truly.

Learning to Run - Week 8 - Speedwalk Session 1 & 2 - Life and Relief!

2010-08-26T06:41:00.000-07:00

Hello Chickies!

Bet you thought I fell off the face of the earth, didn't you? No such luck - I've just been up to my eyeballs with life. I'm still at it with the speedwalking - First training on Tuesday evening at the Y, and the second one yesterday at lunchtime. Yeah, I KNOW there's supposed to be a rest day inbetween, but I just couldn't resist the temptation of cooler temperatures. More details below...

We've successfully released our oldest child into the wild. She's off on her college adventure, and the rest of the family is feeling pretty sad this week, especially Mom and Teen Son#2. He's been slipping into her room and sleeping in her bed. I did really well on move-into-the-dorm day; didn't shed a single tear. I was afraid that if I did, it would collapse the entire family into a slobbering mess and nothing would get done that day. I only lost it last night when I set five plates on the dinner table instead of six. Her chair looks so empty!

Relief? This blessing came in the form of a cold front, knocking us out of those relentless 100+ degree days! 27 days in a row of temperatures in the hundreds and heat indices in the hundred-teens. Yesterday the high was 82. What did I do to celebrate? Hit the pavement at lunchtime and worked on my speed for the 5K. Made it in 47 minutes, including warmup and cooldown. It was glorious to be outside!

I'm also down another pound. Keep up the good work, friends!

Learning to Walk - Week Seven, Second Run and STILL Blazing Hot

2010-08-13T08:02:00.000-07:00

Hello, Chickies!

Okay - just how ridiculous is this? I ~~ran~~ drove to WallyWorld late last night to pick up some more fruit and get milk for breakfast. At 10:38 pm, it was 96 degrees. High today is going to be somewhere in the hundreds. Somebody just pack me on ice until October, please.

I high-tailed my rear end over to the Y after work yesterday to a) get a parking spot in the shade; b) work through my learning to walk training session and then c) hang out with K, the crazed woman who directs the Body Pump class. Learning to walk - fantastical. This week's schedule calls for 5 minutes warmup, 25 minutes at speed and a 4 minute cooldown. I made 2.3 miles in the 34 minutes. My pace is picking up!

My YMCA.

K? She's wild. She's electric, on fire. Seriously. She teaches a spinning class the hour before Body Pump, and she's STILL be-bopping around and tossing free weights during our class! The session was a lot easier this week, mostly because I knew what to expect, and I didn't load quite so many pounds on my bar for the tricep interval. It was a great workout, and I highly recommend it.

Image Courtesy anthill24. No, that isn't me, nor is it K. It's just a random photo of a Bodypump class so you can get an idea of just how insane I am for doing this.

Learning to Speedwalk Week Seven - First Run and a P.S.A.

2010-08-10T06:53:00.000-07:00

Hello Chickies! Week Seven, First ~~Run~~ Walk - Done! I hit the Y Sunday afternoon and cranked it out on the treadmill because it's still MISERABLE hot, as in sweltering. Yeah, sweltering. That's your first word for the day, and it perfectly describes the conditions outside my door. We're facing our fifteenth? seventeenth? day of temperatures over the century mark, and thanks to a prevailing southerly wind, now it's humid, too. Pfffft

Your Second word for today is mammogram. The dreaded M-Word. I got the girls checked this morning. Have you had your boobs smashed this year? No? Then call your doctor, get that referral and get it done. It takes less than ten minutes (not counting the time spent walking from the parking garage to the office and filling out the update form) and it can save your life. Or your rack. Or Both!

Image courtesy of http://www.dobhran.com/

Friday Fives

2010-08-06T13:12:00.000-07:00

Hello Chickies! Since I'm feeling particularly lazy today, and because it's too hot to even think of my own topic, I thought I would join a whole circle of bloggers with Beth's Friday Fives. This week's topic is "Things I Miss About Being a Kid".

5. Summer Break. Complete with hanging out with friends, no worries, no assignments and that sensation of total freedom and endless possibility!

4. Exercise. I miss not knowing that exercise = work. When we were kids, we moved all the time and never thought about it. Now we have to schedule time and make ourselves to do it. It’s still enjoyable, but only because as adults we’re focused on the amazing results of our efforts. When we were kids, we moved just because we could.

3. Energy. When I was a kid I could run all day, bike to forever and back, and still have enough in the tank for a rousing game of Ghost in the Graveyrd with the neighborhood kids once the sun went down. What happened to the endless source of energy? Did Ponce de Leon ever find that Fountain of Youth?

2. Ice Cream. I love ice cream. I do not eat ice cream, because a) it hurts my teeth now; and b) I have absolutely no control when it comes to ice cream. It’s convoluted into a trigger food for me. It will set me on a binge in a heartbeat and I am so not going there. Someday I will eat it again, but for now – Nope. Nada. None will pass my lips.

1. Running FAST. When I was a kid, I was the smallest kid in the class, but I could outrun anyone. I can still walk really fast, but I miss being able to move like lightning!

Did I mention that it's hot today? 107 degrees, even as I type this. Buff Chad and the Maniacs went OUTSIDE at lunchtime to play Let's Run Up Hills. Crazy Nuts.

Word for the Day - Sizzling

2010-08-06T06:17:00.000-07:00

Yes, Sizzling will do. We peaked at 108 degrees yesterday. I'm quickly approaching my annual breaking point where I start ranting about packing up and moving to Maine.

Well, Chickies, yesterday's adventure into health and well-being included a visit to the Y. I actually visit the Y regularly, but for the first time yesterday I ~~cautiously stepped~~ boldly tripped over the threshold into the new workout room and participated in the Body Pump class!! Really. I tripped on the way in the door. Thank goodness I was a few minutes early so only the teacher and a few others witnessed my amazing display of grace and dexterity.

ANYway, the class was great! A lot of fun, and I think I got a decent workout, since my arms felt like jelly as I successfully navigated my way out of the room.

Unfortunate Side Effects...

2010-08-04T15:41:00.000-07:00

Hey Chickies! Did you know that there is an unfortunate side effect of really working hard at being fit? Of losing a significant number of pounds? One very specific side effect? It's, uh, um...well....*sigh* I'll just come right out and say it.

Loss of boobage.
Seriously.

I had to buy new bras today. One band size and two cup sizes smaller. Of course, I'm not too sad to leave the triple letters, since I may be able to actually wear a button down shirt someday.

Learning to Speedwalk - Week Six - Broiling

2010-08-04T06:29:00.000-07:00

I wonder...how many words are there to describe intense heat? We're on day five of post century temperatures, and according to the experts, there is no end in sight. Predictions are that this heat wave will continue for at least the next two weeks.

Needless to say, there isn't any outdoor exercise going on, not even at night. It was still 92 degrees at 10:00 pm last night! So what's a girl to do? Hit the Y on the way home from work, of course! I exercised yesterday with my gym buddy on the east coast. We check in via text message and keep each other motivated. JAFG went to a Body Pump class at her Y; I worked through Week 6 of my C25K Learning to Speedwalk program. (Three minutes at 3.5 mph; 10 at 4.3 mph; 3 at 3.5 mps; 12 at 4.4 mph and wrapping up with a 2 minute cooldown) I finished 2.2 miles in thirty minutes.

The YMCA is absolutley the best deal around here for a gym membership. $62 a month gets our entire family of six access to treadmills, ellipticals, weight machines, free weights, a basketball court, a swimming pool, and all the exercise classes we could possibly want, including pilates, boot camp, body building, Zumba, spinning, regular aerobics and yoga. They have affordable personal trainers, computerized tracking for your workouts, and can perform a metabolic assessment. AND there's a rock climbing wall that is two stories tall. We LOVE the Y!

Hot and Hotter

2010-08-02T10:04:00.000-07:00

Hello, Chickies!

Am I whining again? You bet your britches. Or not, if you have issues over wandering the streets pantless. Because I AM. I AM whining. I AM, I AM, said Sam I Am.

It is hot. Hot beyond hot. Miserable hot that fries your brain cells the moment you step outdoors. And I don't want to hear any fluff about "humidity" or the "feel-like-it" temperature. The regular temperature, which just happens to be ONE HUNDRED SIX degrees farenheit today, is bad enough - thank you very much.

*sigh* as she relishes the moment of pity from her adoring readers.

Rant over! That was the hot part. Hotter, you must be wondering? ME! I'm on fire! I've resorted to walking indoors, and I'm loving it. Air Conditioning makes it so very easy to crank out 2.5 miles in 30 minutes. My clothes continue to get bigger. I conquered the plateau. Jumped right over the edge! (See progress charts at left.) I actually walked away from pizza on Friday evening. Walked Away, I tell you! WALKED AWAY!

Learning to Run - Fail

2010-07-29T13:01:00.000-07:00

Learning to Walk - Ding! Ding! Ding!

We Have a WINNER!!

Hello Chickies!

Isn't it weird how you put off seeing a doctor forever and a day, then you have some sort of serious scare involving the "C-word" and then you find yourself calling the doctor and the nurse practitioner for every little thing? *sigh*

Okay. I've been trying to relearn how to run. I was a runner in my teens and twenties. I ran long distances, up and down hills. I ran because I had to, carrying a backpack and an M-16, wearing BDU's and a helmet. I ran because it was fun, in hot pink shorts and a teeny tank top. I loved running.

Then I stopped. Not all at once, but over the years as babies came along and life got in the way. Earlier this year I thought to myself, "Self! You should run again! What great, efficient exercise!" So I hopped online, researched beginner runner programs, talked to a marathon runner friend and started to learn to run again. It's not as easy as it was thirty years ago, now that I'm staring the big Five-Oh in the face. Every run required more than 48 hours to recover. Every run hurt. Not my lungs, but my hips and my knees.

I just started back running after injury and surgery, and it still hurts. I had a conference with my Doctor (bless her heart) and then with Buff Chad. I'm going to stop running before I cause some serious damage to myself. Instead, I'm SPEED WALKING!!! It has all the cardio and endurance benefits of running, but none of the joint-jarring, ligament-tearing side effects.

I've worked through my Learning to Run program this week walking instead of running. Not just a leisurely stroll, my friends. Rather, busting along at a little over 4 mph. I finished a 3 mile training session yesterday evening without a single twinge of pain, and I woke up this morning with no aching hips! I'm still on for the 5K in October, and my goal is to make it in under 40 minutes.

Monday, Monday!

2010-07-26T07:53:00.000-07:00

Good Morning, Chickies!

What did you do this weekend to supercharge your body? We - the entire Pea Family - went to the Y yesterday afternoon. It's too hot to play outside, so we played inside instead! I did a two mile run on the treadmill, and then accepted AlmostTeen Son #2's challenge to race on the track over the gym floor.

Lessons Learned:

1. Never accept a race challenge from a kid who weighs 100 pounds less than you do and is thirty-two years younger. Fun to try, but impossible to win.

2. Weight Machines are fun and easy to use. Especially when your handsome hubby is working out close by so you can admire his flexing muscles.

3. After said kid beats your pants off for the sixth time, even giving you a quarter track head start each time, let him race his older brother. It will put him back in his place.

4. Do try racing your Teen Daughter, the skinny one. You can probably beat her, which will make you feel better.

Image Courtesy of Encyclopedia Britannica Website

Learning To Run - Where Should I Resume?

2010-07-22T06:29:00.000-07:00

Hello, Chickies, and Greetings from the sizzling plains of North Central Texas. Lord love a duck, it's hot. Too hot to run outside, for sure.

How do I know? Because I started a run yesterday, and gave up within 10 minutes. I ran to the bank, took care of my errand then relished the blissfully cold air for a few - okay, more than than a few - minutes while I talked myself into braving the scorching pavement. I came straight back to the office, and finished my run on the treadmill. I don't even know that I could count it as a run, becasue just those ten minutes under the broiler did me in. I only managed another fifteen minutes on the treadmill. Pfffft!!

So. I'm wondering where to pick up with the running again. Start Over? Start Where I Left Off? Maybe back up a week or two in the program and start there? I'm so totally inclined to not start at all, because it's TOO HOT! Oh. Did I already talk about that ? Seriously - I'm nothing but whiney about the heat. It's 86 degrees at 6:00 in the morning. 90 degrees at 10:00 at night. 105 degrees at various times inbetween, and the feel-like-it? Sheesh. It's too depressing to even think about.

Running should be a winter sport, not a summer one.

P.S. Just so you know, I'm NOT slacking on the exercise. I participate in Buff Chad's cardio and abs classes every day, and I've been doing a pilates band workout every evening for stretching and toning. Ha! The kids do the pilates with me. We must look silly laying in a row across the living room floor with our bands stretching our legs. I need to set up the tripod and snap a photo for you.

Plateaus and Platforms

2010-07-16T06:18:00.000-07:00

Plateaus stink. I've been stuck on one for an eternity now. Wait...(she beebops over to WW, checks the weight tracker)...not actually an eternity, just five weeks.

For Crying Out Loud! These five weeks have included injury, surgery, recovery, consistant eating, only ONE splurge in the form of half of a piece of wedding cake at a wedding, and as much exercise as I could muster.

Why do I feel like such a failure? For crying out loud, I didn't GAIN any weight during these five weeks!

So now what do I do?

Here's the plan, thrown together this morning as I sipped my coffee:

1. Continue to pester Charlie over at Operation Shrink Charlie's Big Butt, because she's in a slump, too. We'll hold each other up.

2. Up my exercise, now that Dr. said "Go". I think maybe I haven't been pushing myself hard enough. Yeah, I put in lots of time, but perhaps the intensity isn't enough.

3. Eat. More. Protein. I tend to cut that out of my diet, because just little bits add up those WW points fast. And I really, really want that teaspoon of honey in my no fat unflavored greek yogurt in the morning, so I swap a protein point for the sweetness. Probably not the best choice.

4. Drink MORE water. True, I average about 3 quarts of liquid a day including my morning coffee and make dozens of trips to the potty (thankfully right across from my office door!), but maybe a bit more would help. I'll just move my desk into the bathroom.

5. Quit beating myself up over this. I didn't gain all this weight overnight, and I'm not going to lose it that fast, either.

Image of Roan Plateau, Colorado, courtesy of the United States Department of the Interior website.

Games People Play

2010-07-15T06:51:00.000-07:00

I'm talking about REAL games, not mind-numbing brain games, even though those are fun, too. Nope. Today we're talking about silly games to get your behind up off the sofa and out the door.

I played "Lets Run Up Hills" Tuesday evening with my kids and the dog. Okay, actually the dog gave up and just laid at the top of the hill, but the kids ran with me! Dumbest game in the world, thank you Buff Chad*. You walk out your front door, go to the biggest hill in your neighborhood then proceed to run UP the hill and walk down several times, until you feel like barfing or until your hamstring breaks, whichever comes first. I usually give in at the barfing stage.

*Buff Chad = Personal Trainer who comes to our office and makes us exercise during our lunch hour. Same Dude responsible for my soleus injury. Why do I listen to him? Oh, wait. Because he's cute. And Buff. And seems to know what he's doing. And I want to believe that I can force my almost fiftyish year-old body that has born four children to look like my teen daughters'.

Here's a link to his picture. Go ahead and look. He's the guy in the blue shirt on the top left. Ignore the rest of the stuff on the web site because I am NOT promoting any product or trying to sell you anything. Unless you just want to be sold. If so, then contact Buff Chad directly.

Defatifying the Dog

2010-07-13T10:31:00.000-07:00

That's what the kids call it. Defatifying the Dog. We have a rotweiller/black lab mutt. He's a seriously big dog. The top of his head is about upper thigh level. Not only is he big, he is was fat. That's because we had issues in our house with everyone feeding the dog when he whines or looks pitifully at his empty food bowl.

As I worked at chiseling away my own body clutter, I decided that the dog could use some help, too. I set out to convince my husband and kids that the dog is NOT starving to death. To pound into their brains that he really only needs two cups of kibble a day. Only. TWO. cups. Even though he's a big dog. That's what the instructions on the bag say. That's what the note from the VET says. I also added "Walk the Dog" to the chore chart - and I nag the kids to take him around the neighborhood a few times a day. Then I walk him again every evening.

Poor baby. The first few weeks he would get about a half mile from the house and just lay down in the middle of the road. Do you have any idea how hard it is for a 120 poud teenager to move a 125 pound dog? Teen Daughter#1 would call...."Dad? Mom? Max is laying down in the middle of the street and he won't move. The neighbors are driving around him. I think you need to bring the car." Uh, no. Just go sit in the shade and wait for the dumb dog to get up again.

Weeks go by. Max is acting a little more perky! He's feeling fine. He brings his leash when it's walking time. (How do dogs know time?) Last night, I am pleased to announce that Mr. Max walked for an entire hour, and didn't lay down even once! He even tried to run away from a chihuahua. And, we can see his waistline again. Go Max!

Whoot! I Made W.I.D.T.H. at Jack Sh*t Gettin' Fit!

2010-07-08T17:30:00.000-07:00

I'm so tickled I'm laughing out loud. The dog thinks I'm nuts.

My postcard made Jack Sh*t's W.I.D.T.H post! Yeah!! Can you guess which one (or two) is mine? Think snarky, and you should find it right away.

By the way, I LOVE this guy. So incredibly funny, so in your face with the reality of getting fit, and super inspirational. Check him out at http://www.jackfit.blogspot.com/.

Holy Smoke, Batman!

2010-07-08T11:32:00.000-07:00

She's running again!! For those of you who keep up (and thank you so much for your support and for keeping me accountable!) you know that June postitvely sucked raw eggs for my Learning to Run Program. First the ridiculous injury and then last week I had some minor surgery*. It didn't seem very minor to me last Wednesday evening in the throes of pain and the aftereffects of anesthesia - I was sure that I wouldn't be running again for months and months.

However; that sappy cliche about time healing all things = so true. I intended to take a walk at lunch today, got out there and decided I felt pretty good, so I started jogging. I ended up going three miles, running a little more than half of that, walking really fast the other half. Whoot! I may not be so far behind in my plans to run a 5K in September!

*Part of my Cancer Schmancer Scare - tumor is now gone, final pathology is NEGATIVE, and I got an EA to boot! If anyone is looking forward to the same procedures, email me (angelapeaktf at gmail dot com) and I'll share my experiences. Knowledge is power, and yes it was uncomfortable.

Meet Miss Olivia

2010-07-07T08:17:00.000-07:00

I admit it – I am a Control Freak. It’s natural for me. I’m the oldest child, ahem, the “responsible one”, the daughter that went to college, got a degree, got married and is raising a crew of fabulous kids. I’m the manager at work, and I take care of my clients and my team with equal care, making sure that my clients ply me with repeat work and that the guys who work for me are learning what they need to know to be professional engineers and that they are progressing in their careers. I’m the one who volunteers, takes charge and makes everything better for everyone else in my universe. I work very, very hard to keep my world running smoothly.

I also get so very, very frustrated when things don’t go my way. You know, they way that I planned. The steps that I meticulously wrote down in my planner and programmed into the Pre with deadlines, task lists and notes. The results that I expected on paper.

It’s so easy to control my environment and the people around me, so why can’t I control Oliva, my Inner Brat? The one who whispers in my ear “You’re never going to look good even if you do reach goal” or “Why bother? Nobody is going to notice if you lose weight/exercise”, or even “Go ahead! One bite won’t hurt!” Miss Olivia needs a muzzle.

I have about 25 more pounds to get to my ultimate goal. According to my WW starting point, I’ve lost 13 pounds since January 2010. It’s a lie. I REALLY started at 222 pounds in September of 2006 when I was diagnosed with diabetes. I was too embarrassed at that time to admit my weight to anyone. I don’t even think my husband knows how out of control I was and how much I weighed back then. I certainly wasn’t going to post it online for the rest of the world to see my failure!

So there. I’ve lost 52 pounds so far. Definitely the results that I expected, on (blog) paper.

Take that, Miss Olivia.

(image of "Fancy Nancy" aka, Miss Olivia, My Inner Brat, from Harper Collins Children's Books, by Jane O'Connor, Illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser)

It's Been a Long Recovery...

2010-06-27T14:22:00.000-07:00

Well, maybe not terribly long, but it felt like an eon to me, waiting for my darned leg muscles to knit themselves back together.

I'm not 100% better, but I am comfortably mobile now, and I went to the Y today! Did two miles on an elliptical and swam a half dozen laps. Yes-sah. It feels so great to move again!

The good news is that I didn't gain any weight during my week of forced inactivity, in spite of an overindulgence at a wonderful wedding reception and a week spent in a conference.

For that, I'm grateful.

Learning to Run - DON'T Try to Keep Up With the Boys!

2010-06-21T10:34:00.000-07:00

We have a personal trainer here in my office who shows up every day at lunchtime and tells us what to do in our quest for fitness and healthier lifestyles. We refer to him as Buff Chad. Because he is.

Most of the guys I work with are fitness animals. They run. They lift weights. They participate in Iron Man competitions. They ride bicycles cross country, literally - from ocean to ocean. One guy even went to New Zeland this past spring and biked around the entire island. Anyway, last Wednesday I was the only non-competetive type person who showed up for BC's cardio class. Most of the time, I can keep up with the guys. I can hold my own with crunches, pushups, and curls. I can even halfway keep up when they are running, because I take it slow and steady when they sprint/walk. Wednesday, however, was a different story. BC sent us to the parking garage a few blocks over to run stairs. Eight flights, eight times. I managed to keep up with the guys for the first three cycles. On run four, I only made it to the fifth floor. On run six, to the third floor. That's when I should have stopped. But oh no, I just HAD to be tough, to not seem wimpy in front of the gang. Run seven and eight - made up to the fourth floor. The walk back to the office was dicey. My legs were so wobbly!

Thursday evening, I was feeling just a tiny bit sore, and thought maybe a walk would help warm up those muscles and help me feel better, so I went to the Y with my daughters for another go at those fabulous treadmills. I walked a nice, easy two miles, not fast, just a comfortable pace. When we got home, I needed help to get out of the car. By Friday morning I couldn't even stand. I was in so much pain that I stopped at my Dr. on the way into work. Guess what? I tore the tendons that hold the calf muscle to the back of the knee, and seriously strained the quadricep - in both legs - running those stairs. It is going to be several weeks before I can walk comfortably again, much less run.

So, my Learning to Run Program needs to go on hold for a few weeks while I recover. Until then, I'm consigned to pilates, arm and mat exercises. Which, if I look for the positive aspect, are all things that can be done indoors where it's air-conditioned, instead of outdoors where the heat index (today) is 115 degrees.

Next time, I won't even try to keep up.

Learning to Run - Week Seven, First Run - Doing It in the Rain!

2010-06-15T06:35:00.000-07:00

It's become way to hot here to run at lunch time, so I rolled my rear end out of bed at o'dark thirty this morning to hit the pavement. My husband mumbled something about 'rain' and 'be careful of lightening' as I tiptoed out of the bedroom.

So. I open the front door, note that the walk is dry and head out. It's still too dark to actually see the sky. I get about a mile and a half from home when the light show starts, cracks of blue sizzle across the sky. I'm not too concerned, because here on the edge of the Texas Flatlands, you can literally see lightening from storms that are miles and miles away. I turn back towards home realize that I can see the sky now, and it's an ugly shade of green. Perhaps that lightening isn't actually out by Mineral Wells.

By the time I go another quarter mile, it's starting to sprinkle. Then rain. Then absolutely pour. I arrived home looking like a drowned rat.

At least it wasn't hot.

Back in the Saddle and Running Again

2010-06-10T20:28:00.000-07:00

Holy Cow, last week and this have been a bear. I had a HUGE project at work to finish that consumed every waking moment and entailed several last minute revisions from the client and lots of overtime for me and my team. Grrrr - I work very hard at keeping ahead of design schedules so that we don't get into a panic situation at the end of project with a deadline looming. It's so frustrating when changes get tossed in at the eleventh hour.

That said, I didn't get a whole lot of exercise in, other than quick 30 minute breaks during the day to run down to the gym, spend 20 minutes on the treadmill and then 10 minutes cleaning up. I held steady, and despite the stress, lost another pound. We wrapped up and delivered review sets today, so I came home early and went to the Y with my daughters. Now I have a confession.

I really, REALLY like running on those super nice high tech treadmills with built in televisions.

There I said it. It is SO much easier to run on a treadmill than to run outside, especially when the thermometer is showing triple digits and the heat index is hovering around 110 degrees. I easily ran for two miles tonight. Can I have one of those machines at home?

Learning to Run - Week Sixish, Second Run and DATE NIGHT!!

2010-06-04T20:10:00.000-07:00

I checked the calendar, and it is indeed week six of learning to run. I DID run today, but only a mile, because it was 101 degrees outside!!! Ugh. I came in and did a cardio workout with Buff Chad and the office guys.

We somehow ended up with ALL four kiddos out of the house tonight, so it's DATE NIGHT!! Hubs and I went to our favorite hole-in-the-wall Italian joint and spend a leisurely hour over dinner. (I was so good, eating only a salad and half an order of chicken marsala - NO pasta!) It's starting off as a grand weekend.

Learning to Run Week Five/Six, Whichever Number Run, Kayaking and WOW!!!

2010-06-02T11:53:00.000-07:00

Okay. I admit I've lost track! We had a marvelous Memorial Day weekend, visiting friends and lazing around. I didn't get any running in; however, I did go kayaking. Yes, we finally procured Teen Son#1's very belated Christmas Present, a pair of kayaks, paddles and new adult sized life vests. (We admit to being terrible parents, letting such things as a total ABSENCE of kayaks in stores in the middle of winter, an early spring plagued with two rounds of the flu and then a late spring washed away in an abundance of rain get prevent us from obtaining our Darling Son's Christmas present ON TIME. Bad Mom and Dad!)

What a marvelous way to earn those WW activity points!! Fresh air, open water, and fun kids to paddle with.

That said, I DID run today. I did a complete mile without stopping. Only because Buff Chad (our trainer here at work) was watching and I couldn't cheat. Now I'm totally amazed at myself. I ran a WHOLE MILE without stopping .

The WOW?? I lost another 3.5 pounds last week, and bypassed my 5% goal.

Kayak Image courtesy of Sports Authority.

Yeahbut, these are the actual kayaks

we procured!

Learning to Run - Week Five, Oops! No Second Run

2010-05-28T14:35:00.000-07:00

You will never believe what I did instead!! We played Wiffle Ball today at lunch.

I love love love where I work, even if it is with a bunch of "guys". Being a bunch of guys, there is a LOT of competition, working out and athletic type stuff going on. Today it was Wiffle Ball. I managed to get on base every time at bat, and all the way to second on one play! It was much fun, and I can't wait to play again.

Me at Bat...Hit a Double! Playing Catcher...very hard without a mitt!

By far the funniest shot of the day - my boss intentionally trying to get hit by the ball!

Learning to Run - Week Five, First Run

2010-05-26T11:04:00.000-07:00

Did it! Five minutes running, three walking, repeat four times. Now I'm drenched with sweat and stinky sitting here at my desk. Today is basketball tournament day for the guys, so I'd better dash downstairs and take a shower before they all come in and take over the locker rooms.

Lost three pounds this week. LOL!! I love the week after Aunt Flo takes a hike...all that water weight just miraculously disappears, making me feel like I've accomplished a whole lot more than just sitting around feeling crabby and bloated and wishing I could eat chocolate.

Keep up the good work, everyone. I KNOW you're working just as hard as you can in the Weight Loss Battle! CHARGE!!!!!

Learning to Run - Week Four, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Runs - Our First Release

2010-05-23T06:58:00.000-07:00

Slacking a bit on posting? You Betcha. It's been a crazy week. Second run happened Thursday, third run happened on Friday and fourth run was yesterday morning. Yesterday I ran over to a construction site on the other side of my development where one of my projects is being constructed. It looks great, exactly what I designed. The contractor is doing a good job. The concrete is finished well, and saw joints have already cracked through to the bottom of the pavement section. Yes.

Here's my focus for today -

We have a house full of family and plenty of food ready for later this afternoon. Well, there will be plenty once I make some potato salad. Husband Dear is outside cleaning the patio and putting ice in coolers.

Today we release our first born into the wild, ready for college and for whatever lies beyond.

Learning to Run - Week Four, First Run

2010-05-17T11:41:00.000-07:00

Did it!! It's super hot and muggy in Texas today, and in spite of this, I actually ran MORE than I walked! Did the entire interval set with not a single stitch in my side, or ache in my hip. Can you believe it?? I am totally impressed and so very pleased with myself. I feel like a little kid waving a perfect math paper in front of my Mom, jumping up and down with excitement, wriggling with anticipation of a big smile from her and a boatload of praise!

Weigh in was yesterday - a whopping half pound lost. Isn't that just grand? Just how much is a half pound?

Two of these..................one of these.................or one of these, full

Doesn't seem like a lot, does it. That's okay. I'll take it, just becasue I RAN today! *all smiles and grins*

Butter Image by Julia Ewen for the Washington Post