An I’m-SO-Sorry Wednesday Weigh-in AKA Busy Photo Shoot Day!

Hey guys, I’m SO sorry this is late. It makes it even worse that I’m on the West Coast considering it’s “tomorrow” already. Regardless, I’m sorry. I should have had it queued up knowing the day I had scheduled.

And Oh. My. What a day!

I would love to stay up all night telling you about it but honestly I’m exhausted so you are going to get the bullet list version, but before I start I have to ask you a favor. Please forget (or at least don’t mention) what magazine I told you I’ll be in and which show I’m shooting a segment for, OK? I, ummm, really wasn’t suppose to tell you but I did and now I’m doing damage control. So let’s just say I’m working with a major magazine and a national talk show. Mmmkay?

Now that we got that out of the way, this is pretty much how my day went.

1. Morning run. 

I couldn’t help myself. I was up about an hour early and I just HAD to see a little of Hollywood so I snuck in about a mile and a half and caught a glimpse of the Hollywood sign!

2. My fellow bloggers. 

I met up with Erika and Michelle and we become instant buddies. LOVE these women!

3 . Interviews and B-roll

We spent about 2 hours recording a little about our backgrounds and some footage for “the show.”

4. Hair, makeup and wardrobe!!

Boy, a girl can get used to being pampered.

I’m wearing boots and skinny jeans! No, you don’t understand — I AM wearing BOOTS and SKINNY JEANS.

I don’t do boots and skinny jeans. I just don’t.

I may have to change my policy. lol

5. Photo shoot!

We did shots in workouts clothes and dressed up, alone and in the group. They even had our before pictures to pose by!

6. Interviews

We sat down and talked for some time. Unfortunately, you will have to wait until February to get the details. :(

7. Dinner

I didn’t take any pictures but I had a wonderful meal at the hotel with all these amazing, inspirational women!

8. CrossFit

I know. I know. I’m crazy but hey, I’m only here for a couple of days and I’m sucking the marrow out of it. So when Paola reached out and told me she was so close, we just HAD to meet up for a workout.

It was an awesome partner workout, too, and we kicked A$$!

9. BED! 

As in right now. I’m exhausted. I’ve been going non-stop since 6:30 this morning and right now it’s 11 p.m. Not to mention 2 a.m. my time. I know sleep is important but sometimes you just need to seize the day!

Now, I realize I’m late but those who are weighing in with me please post your updates! Late is better than never. :) 

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(Photo) Half-Azzing Friday

…or call it whatever you want. Here’s a pic I posted on my Facebook page this week: Shoulder press with the sledgehammer. Since this is a re-hash from Facebook, my blog for today is therefore…half-azzed? I dunno.

I’ve been burnt out this week. My carpal tunnel is acting up in a major way. It’s to the point where I can barely sleep anymore. Might just give in and finally get surgery. And, oh ya, my kid broke his foot. Senior year at the start of Cross Country season is the worst time for this to happen to him. ((sigh))

Yet my blessings are too many to count. Still smiling. Still driven. Still hell bent on making life epic.

I’ve got a new Workout Motivation vid coming at ya most likely on Wednesday, so watch for it! Enjoy your weekend, my friend. XO.

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Before and After Juicing: The Impressive Photo Reveal

Need I say more? I am a changed woman. I can sense you are impressed. If this doesn’t convince you to start juicing, then I don’t know what will.

It doesn’t matter how wide my jaws are. It’s pretty much impossible shove all this into my stomachs in one sitting…

But I sure can juice it! 2 apples, 2 celery stalks, 6 carrots (say what!) and 3 large handfuls of spinach. There was so much spinach, I couldn’t get it all to fit in the pic. This coming week I’ll be juicing more kale than spinach. I’ve learned that it’s a good idea to rotate to your greens, so kale it is!

TODAY’S WORKOUT

20-pound dumbbell swingscommando push-upstouchdown jump squatstriceps superset

Circuit 2X’s through, then outdoors for 10-minutes of speed rope intervals. Plus, 2-mile stroll in the afternoon.

TODAY’S MEAL PLAN

Post-Workout Fuel: Shakeology in the blender with banana, ice & water.Morning snack if I’m hungry: slice of cinnamon raisin Ezekiel breadLunch: Baked sweet potato & steamed veggies: Birds Eye Asian MedleyAfternoon snack: juiced veggies (apples, kale, carrots)Dinner: sweet Italian sausage (from Amish market) with sauteed peppers & onions over riceAfter Dinner: hot cup of blended Mate’ & Oolong teas with raw honey

Now excuse me while I sharpen my newly formed fangs. Juicing sure has enhanced my beauty. Don’t you agree?

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February #YogaADay Photo Recap

I know I usually post a Weekend quote on Fridays but the timing was perfect for February’s #YogaADay. Plus, I didn’t come across any inspirational quotes that felt worthy of sharing. So instead, I give you 28 days of my attempting yoga and cell phone self-photography, two things I really have a lot of fun practicing. :)

Child’s pose after a frigid 4-mile run. Notice Irish, she’s not impressed. @growsoulbeautiful #yogaAday

Quick #YogaAday before bed.

A fun #YogaAday for Super Bowl Sunday.

Thankful to #YogaAday today for reminding me to take a moment. I’ve been go-go-go all morning I didn’t eat or even take my coat or hat off after coming home 2 hours ago!

Quick #YogaAday on my morning run.

Why am I so bad at the forward standing bend?? #YogaAday

Almost forgot #YogaAday so I snuck in tree pose while watching John Stewart. :)

#YogaAday in Salt Lake City on my way to Temecula for the @ToughMudder

#YogaAday in the middle of the @ToughMudder in Temecula, CA

Waiting for the doctor and catching up on #YogaAday. When I saw the chair, I couldn’t help myself. Yesterday was chair pose. :)

My attempt to do reclining bound angle for #yogaAday with the boys. SOMEONE couldn’t stay still for the 15-second timer. lol

One day I will nail this pose but that day is not today. lol. #YogaAday. @growsoulbeautiful

Quick #YogaAday stop on my home from #CrossFit Busy day ahead!

A little fun with perspective for #YogaAday I’m tall but not THAT tall.

No progress on crane pose. :( #YogaAday

Catching up on #YogaAday – Wide legged forward standing bend

I’m supposed to be doing a seated forward bend for #YogaAday but lower back was not cooperating. Yet again, Irish not impressed. lol

#YogaAday at the gas station of all places.

A good morning mountain pose! Are you ready to tackle Tuesday? #YogaAday

My attempt of revolved head to toe taken by the 7-year-old with toddler toes. :) #YogaAday @growsoulbeautiful

#YogaAday with my boys!! @growsoulbeautiful

I’ve been dealing with a lot of lower back pain since last night. Thinking some light stretching is a good idea. #YogaAday

Little Bean wanted in on today’s corpse pose. :) #YogaAday

Stepped off the trail for a quick #YogaAday break. The sound of the creek makes me smile.

It’s a new day and I’m ready to embrace it. Are you? #YogaAday

A little #YogaAday break during playtime. :)

When I went to the gym this morning it was cold and rainy. When I got out? Gorgeous! #YogaAday

#YogaAday stop on my run. I saw this tree line and it looked perfect. Eagle pose.

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Before and After Photo Evidence: Scheduling Progress Pictures is a Powerful Fitness Tool

Interesting, huh? I’m in better shape now as a mom of 4 kids than I was back then with only 3 kids. I’m looking forward to my next scheduled progress picture in January 2012.

Measuring my progress on the scale has been barely useful. I’m gaining muscle, so the damn scale is moving downward like molasses even though I’m rapidly getting leaner. Pictures, on the other hand, pretty much tell the complete story. My plan in the New Year is to snap a picture of myself every 3 months to gauge my progress.

Taking periodic photos has been more encouraging and inspiring and “I’m gonna get up today and kick my own ass” motivating than any weight loss proof I might see on the scale. The idea of knowing I have an upcoming progress photo also proves helpful at keeping excess foodstuffs out of my food trap and motivates me to keep pushing hardcore through my workouts.

…because who wants a crappy progress picture, right? The camera will back up and prove all your hard work (or lack thereof).

If you’re serious about doing things right in 2012, pull out those big ballz of yours and commit to relying less on the scale and leaning more on periodic progress pictures to stay accountable and show the world (or just yourself) that you’re no fitness slug.

Now excuse me. I be needing a glass of wine, dammit.

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Just a Photo Food Journal

That’s all I have time for tonight. I’m trying to get to bed so I can wake up early and work out. Something I haven’t done in well over a year. I’m committing two mornings a week, Tuesday and Thursdays. I know it’s going to be tough but I also know I’ll feel so awesome all day.

Anyway, on to the journal!

Didn’t have much time for breakfast so I grabbed an apple and some Almond Butter.

For lunch I went a little overboard.

but it was for a good reason. Click here for the recipe and the reason why I made such a big lunch.

Afternoon snack was some hummus and veggies

HUGE NSV for me scooping out the hummus. I normally just grab the container and it’s gone before I know it.

After school the Little Guy and I split a can of Tropical Fruit Salad.

I also grabbed a handful of S’more Goldfish

We went out to dinner at our favorite Chinese/Sushi place. Started with some wonton soup…

Edemame..

and some sushi

I also had a few bites of the husband’s Hunan Chicken.

After the kids went to bed I made some hot cocoa with my customary shot of Irish Cream. :)

OK, off to bed! I’m gonna sleep in my running clothes!

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A Quick Photo Shoot Wednesday Weigh-In

That’s me! All dolled up for today’s photo shoot. It was fun and painless! Everyone was so nice and we were done in a few hours. Even after sneaking the baby in a few shots. :)

I hope to be able to share some of the pictures but we may have to wait until the issue comes out. It will be the October issue of FIRST. I’m not sure I’ll see any before then myself.

Besides the shoot I did nothing except hang out with the baby.

and run 3 miles.

I was planning on a weight training session but I just didn’t have it in me. Maybe tomorrow or Friday.

As for weigh in, the scale read… 156

That’s .6 down from last week. Not bad. Now bad at all! I updated my weight progress page.

ok, that’s all I have. I need sleep and want a snack before bed!

whole wheat English muffin and some blueberriesGrabbed one real fast before the shootI love having leftover pork to make this sandwhich! Out for dinner: edamame, seaweed salad, a brown rice sushi, and some bites of crispy beefWe have a bit of a Wed going out to eat tradition now. It helps break up the week and gives me a break from cooking. could have done better. Off to take vitamin now.

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