Too much coffee...

And not enough homework.

I think it's time to get some things off my chest.

I never really realized how much I hate it here until last weekend. My grandpa died last week and within hours I was on a plane back to Minnesota. I know it was a sad occasion, but that was the overall happiest I have been in a long time. I got to spend time with my daughter, my parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. And my horse.

I didn't know why Kobe's death affected me like it did until last Sunday. Kobe was my Thelma down here. Growing up, Thelma was my best friend. I told that horse everything and anything I could. She never judged, never offered advice. But she listened. Most of the time I just needed to hear things outloud to make a decision, other times to realize how stupid I was being. Kobe did that for me here. I miss that dog like crazy. I still feel an emptiness when I remember he's gone.

I used to see those commercials for depression and roll my eyes. After the last couple months though, I understand how it is to just NOT be able to pick yourself back up. I used to be able to. I would get in a funk and just decide to change my attitude. And I would. I would just be better. Admitting this is the best thing I have done in a long time.

I could make a list of things I want to do better. But I will start with one thing at a time. When I get that one thing done, I will be sure to blog about it.

New Year's Resolution, take 54

New Year's resolutions. Every year, I start after Christmas. Thinking, that is. Thinking of that perfect resolution I CAN do, and WILL do this coming year. Every year January 1st comes and goes without a single inkling of what I should do to perfect myself. It's 27 days past that date and still nothing.

I know I should write a list of what I want to change and go from there (in fact, I started one. I got depressed with the length of it, so I deleted it). The thing is, I want it to be something I will enjoy doing. I want to look forward to something I can accomplish.

Since I've married, I've taken on this persona as "The Wife". Not just any wife - the 1950's wife who must clear everything with her husband and does things just to keep him happy. I'm not upset that this happened, I'm not saying I'm going to go all selfish and not give a crap about him anymore. I just want one thing I can do that he's not a huge part of.

Enter The Dresser.

When my brother moved in with us, he needed a dresser. Since I was paying for it, I didn't want to spend hundreds of dollars on it. I searched craigslist for weeks before I found this dresser. The picture didn't look horrible, so for twenty bucks I figured I'd at least call.

Now I'm positive I have a gene in me that is responsible for the next actions. It's also responsible for me overpaying for stuff on eBay. A gene, human nature, something besides common sense.

I called the number, talked to the guy and set up a time to come out to see it. He told me there were other people interested (as all craiglisters will say), so I hurried out to see it. I called my sister in law, we drove out to Bernalillo, got lost and drove through a questionable neighborhood (twice).

We finally found the place, met Brian and he showed us the dresser. I fell in love with the mirror and the dresser looked like it needed a couple things here and there. He mentioned that someone was coming right after me to look at it, and the gene kicked in. I bought the damn twenty dollar dresser.

Now most people are snoozing off by now (if anyone even reads this). But you have to know why I'm so proud of the dresser at this point. Since I moved down here, I haven't done anything without the husband. I don't drive farther than Kohl's or Walmart. I make sure it's ok before I leave, just in case. The husband hates this - he wishes I'd do more on my own, but I just don't. No clue why. In Minnesota, I felt like I drove for a living - it wasn't uncommon to fill my gas tank times a week. Here, I haven't pumped gas once.

Anyway, this dresser was MY idea. I drove specifically to look at it, paid for it with my money. I made the decision to buy it and restore it. I loaded it (with help of course!), I hauled it home. Selfish, yes, but this was MINE!

WE'RE BACK!!!!

Day 2

It's day two. Cardio X yesterday and Core Synergistics today. We're officially starting again - no if, ands, or buts about it! I think since the beginning of the year we've "started" a half dozen times. If I had a quarter for every time we did Chest and Back, well, I could buy a candy bar.

We took new before pictures. When I get a little more secure about posting them, I will. Anyway, it's late and I'm a little (a lot!) tired.

Soooo....

Workouts have been a little difficult - my knee has been a little tender lately. I've been doing as best I can, but sometimes it is just a little much. My keyboard is ticking me off, so I'll write more later.

Ugh... it's been so long...

since I blogged! I will blog more later, too, but I just wanted to get a couple pictures up while I can! Hubby has been making fun of my pictures, so I slacked a bit. When I realized I wasn't so keen on working out when I didn't take them, I started again. The first ones were Kenpo X on Saturday.

Warrior One

Prayer twists!

I love this picture - except the wonderful wipes in the foreground!

Vertical punches

I swear the sun always shines brighter when I'm done with my workout!



The next ones are the best yet. Connor and Cooper decided to workout with me since I was doing Core synergistics.
Marching in place. Coop was a little lost at first.

Quad stretch. Coop is talking to me off camera - hench the goofy expression.

Stack foot staggered hands pushups

Banana rolls!

Squat run - Connor's tired so he's running the camera at this point.

Bow to Boat (this is Boat) Connor's behind me.

Bow - Connor wanted in the picture, so I moved - then he said he was too tired to do it.

I love water.

I love these next couple. Coop's taking the pictures - you can tell by the little fingers on the right hand side.

Coop again!

And Coop strikes again!

Saturday - Week 2

Today wasn't so great, but I did get some of my goofy workouts in. My favorite was when I was cleaning Coop's room, his magnets were all over the floor. I did a combination of walking push ups and over and under push ups to pick them up and put them on his magnet board. While I was talking to Hubby (he was in the shower so he couldn't make fun of me) I did sit ups on the yoga ball. I added things to my usual cleaning method - I clean one room until I get an object that goes in another room, then I move on to that room. When I got to the new room, I'd do a minute of jumping jacks and I would "speed" clean.

Anyway, tomorrow we're super busy, but I'm hoping I'll be able to stay active at least.

Friday - Part Deux

I made tuna noodle casserole tonight for supper. I altered my original recipe and it was SOOOOO good. So I ended up having seconds. And thirds. Add that to the bowl of ice cream this afternoon, I was feeling kinda icky. So I did Cardio X too! I was so proud of myself - I managed to do 99% of the workout (1% was Steam Engine - I hate those and Coop wanted milk. So I accidentally didn't press pause)

I need to workout at night more often - I have so much energy! Wait, that's not a good thing. It's 9:45 and I am WIRED! If it wasn't dark and I could manage both dogs, I have enough energy to take them for a run. Anyway, I have homework to finish - so I will see y'all tomorrow!

Friday!

I'm off to push play! I'll be back in a bit!

Sooo... I worked out. Kenpo X. I figure I'm too far behind to really catch up this week, so I'll do cardio stuff until Monday. Here are some pictures - some taken by Coop, others by Connor, and some by me. (I love the self timer setting!)

Cooper's attempt to take pictures - you can see my new shoes at least!

Trying to get in the frame

Knee kicks

Jab/Cross switch

Side lunge/High sword/Low hammer

This was taken towards the beginning of the workout - you should have seen my hands after! You can't accuse me of not putting my all into my punches!

I think my thoughts were, "Sunny beach! That was a workout!"

And the stretch. I stayed here a little longer than Tony did, that's for sure!

Thursday - Week 2

GRRR... I didn't get a workout in today either. It is Hubby's birthday today, so I cleaned (like REALLY cleaned) and then we did dinner and a movie. The good thing about today is my diet wasn't super horrible. But, tomorrow is a new day!

I'm BAAACCCKKKK!!!!

Chest and back today. I'm sore - every keystroke is a little tingle of accomplishment. I did the first round on the chin up bar instead of the bands. And it's so much harder! I remember attempting a pull up when I started. It wasn't pretty. I didn't get any good pictures today though, but I'm thinking I might bust out a Cardio X later too. So there is still hope.

Rest day!!!

Sunday was my rest day. It took all I had NOT to do Cardio X or SOMETHING. I improvised and did all my cleaning super fast - getting my heart rate up a little, then slowing down (interval training). Anyway, this morning I finally hit the 145.6 mark.

Today was a little hard. Hubby was home and Connor had surgery this morning. I love working out with Hubby - he pushes me a little harder than I normally would. So I waited for him to do his workout, but he didn't. I debated on working out after he went to bed, but I had homework due yesterday, so I finished that instead.

I'm not going to beat myself up over missing today. Yes, I wanted to really stick to the program, but you have to do your best and forget the rest! I will bust out a workout tomorrow morning, and, maybe if I have the time, I'll do another in the afternoon. If not, I'll just workout on Sunday this week. Options.

Another reason I didn't want to workout (even if I didn't have the homework) is I would have a hard time getting to sleep after that. Well, here it is, 12:14 and I'm still WIDE awake. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, here I come.

End of Week 1

I ended off week 1 with Kenpo X. It was an awesome workout - the only down side is it was Connor's birthday today, so we had cake. I had a small piece, but I still feel guilty about it. Anyway, here are the pictures from today!

Jab/Cross

Jab/Cross/Hook/Uppercuts
Connor kept telling me to stick out my tongue - this was sweaty nasty me obliging him.

Still getting told to stick out my tongue. Silly kid.

Day 4 and 5...

I forgot to blog last night! I feel so horrible. But I also didn't get pictures working out today. I'm really slacking. The pictures are all backwards and what not - I'm so tired I don't want to have to sort them out.
This is my favorite stretch ever!


Wide front pull ups

Toe Roll Iso Lunges - I HATE THESE!!!

Toe Roll again

Chair Pose

Switch Grip Pull Ups

Quad stretch

Connor took this picture - I like it cuz my hair is all shiny.

Anyway, yesterday I did Legs and Back - tonight I did Cardio X. I weighed in today with one of my groups on fb. I'm up .6 pounds from Monday, but I'm down 2.5 inches. I sat down and figured out what my weightloss is since I really started and here are the stats.

Weight - 3.5 pounds (8 months at Curves) +1 pound + 11 pounds (4 months P90X) = 15.5 pounds

Inches 3 inches (Curves) +14 (P90X) - 1 (arms) = 16 inches

So yeah. There ya go.

Day 3

I did Plyo today. I was always terrified because during the warm up Tony warns it's the mother of all workouts. And it is! It's not for the faint hearted! But it's my new favorite workout. Connor couldn't take very good pictures because it's all jump training, so I set up the camera and took some myself. They're kinda funny... but here they are!

I don't remember which picture is which exercise, but I was SOAKED by the time I was done! K and I also went for a long walk tonight with Cooper (which was a good thing - I had a small bowl of ice cream after supper)

I'm not sure if I'm going to weigh myself tomorrow morning. I was up .6 pounds from yesterday. I know it's not a lot, but if I gain 2 days in a row, I tend to get in a funk.

I'm going to get to bed - hopefully I'll get some sleep tonight!

Day 2...

I'm down a pound - 146.2 this morning. I did Shoulders and Arms today instead of Cardio X - mainly because I'm sore from yesterday. I skipped my recovery drink because I didn't feel too bad after Core. Dumb. Even now my legs are just SORE.

But anyway, I did most of the Shoulders and Arms with the red bands. I've never been able to do that before. That's one of the highs I LOVE about working out - when you exceed what you did before.

Here's a picture - I think my arm just looks fat, but oh well.

Connor has been my little photographer. So hopefully he'll get a couple good pictures every day and I'll be able to post them on here too!

I'm off to bed!

Pictures so far...

March 29th, April 27th and June 17th

Round 2!!!

I started round 2 of P90X today. Core synergistics. If all goes well, I'm going to be going back to Minnesota in 2 months to visit for a couple weeks, so I want to be at my goal weight by then. I'm looking forward to the challenge of every day pushing play. I've found that if I put my shoes on, I'm more likely to actually work out.

Anyway, I recorded my measurements on beachbody. Some went up from the last time, but so I'm looking forward to those going down. But my weight this morning was 147.2. I know it's not going to be tomorrow, but I'm so excited to see 145, then 143, then 141... 139... and so on (I guess the even numbers would be good too.) My goal is 125, but we'll see. I decided when I get to where I'm satisfied and healthy, I'm going to maintain that, whether it's 135 or 115.

I better get to bed. I'll be on tomorrow - along with every day pushing play, it's every night, going to write!

Here is a picture Connor took today! It's SUPERMAN BANANA!!!!

I had one of the best moments of my life tonight

I wish I could take a camera with me when I run.

As I'm running up the monsterous hill behind our neighborhood, I look up at the sun. It's slightly overcast, but the rays and colors were stunning. I got to the top, wishing I had a camera, but knowing no picture could do the moment justice. The combination of running, the beauty and the sense of accomplishment was amazing.

I also realized I have a new high.

Running. Seriously. I remember back in high school our cross country coach kept trying to get me to run. I always thought it was boring and, other than losing/maintaining weight, it was pointless.

Tonight was my second night running. I call it running, but it's more intervals of walking, jogging and full out running. After I realized I ran a mile (I know, I know, it's just a mile) I decided it wasn't so bad. It was exhilarating pushing myself that extra little bit when I thought I couldn't anymore.

My answer to everything

As I put on fb, I now believe the answer to everything is a good run with a great dog.

I've been in one of my "moods" lately and just couldn't seem to pull myself out of it. Tonight I went for a walk with my kids around the neighborhood. Half way around the neighborhood, Connor needed to go potty. So him and I ran home. I know it was only 4 year old speed, but I enjoyed it. After we finished our walk, I grabbed Duke and went running. Before you get all impressed I ran the hills of Albuquerque, you should know I did intervals instead of running the whole 2 miles.

I had my iPod, and at the beginning of the walk, I'd jog during the chorus of whatever song was playing. By the end of the 2 miles, I'd run the first half of the songs. It felt GREAT! I got home all sweaty and nasty. And I've been flying high ever since.

Tomorrow starts my 2nd round of P90X. I didn't completely finish the first round, but I really want to see the results when it's done all the way through.

Mantracker

So my new fitness goal - I want to be on Mantracker. It's a little known show on Science Channel, but it's super cool. It's basic - two people on foot try to make it to a "finish line" with Mantracker tracking them. They have 2 days to do it through wilderness and whatnot. But at the beginning of the show, they show the "prey" and give them a little gauge of fitness and outdoor experience. I want my gauge to be FULL!!!

I decided to continue this P90X session. I'm on month 3, week 1. Chest and Back Monday, Cardio X Tuesday, Shoulders and Arms Wednesday, supposed to be Yoga X on Thursday, Core synergistics today, Kenpo tomorrow. I did Monday - Wednesday, yesterday was an off day with a headache and visiting friends. Today, "it's my favorite! SUPERMAN BANANA!!!!" So I'm off in a bit to do that!

Coaching is going well so far. I just wish I was better at letting people know how awesome and beneficial it is! But I don't like bugging people, and I know when I talk to my mother, all I talk about is beachbody. I know she's getting tired of it.

Since people have been coming to my blog, I'm going to give the benefits on here. If you don't want to read it, or have heard it from me before, well...

Coaching is an awesome opportunity with beachbody. Minimum of 40 bucks to start your own business, pretty much. After that, it's 15 a month to run your 2 websites. Anyway, you can also buy different packages when you sign up to jumpstart your business. Shakeology samples to mail out (Dude, the chocolate is AWESOME), programs to try and lend out, stuff like that. If you go to vistaprint.com, you can order free business cards and, like I did, they have free promotion items. I ordered a cool t-shirt and tote with my website on it.

Anyway, the biggest benefit for me is the motivation. How can I persuade people to get fit if I'm not trying myself? I'm not going to say I'm in the best shape, but people who see me from week to week are noticing the difference and mentioning it to me. Which is, of course the perfect opportunity to mention what I'm doing.

Shoot, kids are getting fussy and crabby. I'll be back, I promise!

So I'm back, a whole 24 hours later.

The way coaching works is this... I signed up under my coach, Alisha. I have two websites, my shakeology, http://myshakeology.com/CoachTessK and my beachbody,
http://beachbodycoach.com/CoachTessK . These websites offer my customers a couple services. They can sign up to join beachbody (which is a great idea for ANYONE wanting to lose weight, and I hope to have time to go into that), order workout programs or nutritional suppliments, or sign up to be a coach.

Joining beachbody is a great place to keep track of your weightloss and meet new people working toward the same goal as you - to get healthier! I signed up there before even getting my P90X just to have somewhere to keep my measurements. To date, I've lost 14 inches (not including the whole INCH I added to each arm).

The workout programs are great. Each are easy to follow (however, that's not the case when it comes to doing them) and usually come with most of what you need to workout with (bands usually). There are programs to get the nice lean look, or the muscular look, depending on what you are going for. Remember, you can email me for the program right for you!

If you sign up to be a coach, make sure to do it from my website. Along with getting a commission on programs you sell to your customers, if you sign 2 coaches up under you, beachbody will send you FREE customers! And whatever they buy... ta da - commission! Or, better yet, if you want to order something, become a coach, THEN order. BAM! 25 percent off! The initial cost to start up is 39.95 (42 something with tax and whatnot) which is pretty good, considering.

Anyway, the kids are fighting over something and I lost my train of thought. I hope that covers most of it, but I'm sure it doesn't. I will revise it later if I need to!