GoPro-ing in the Sole of the City

Happy mid-weekend guys! I normally don’t blog on Saturdays but I had to pop in and share my new toy…

After killing my phone during last years Zombie run and with the Tough Mudder fast approaching, I thought it was time to equip myself properly. My goal is to capture, archive, and most importantly, share my experience in events. I want you to see what I see.

After much research I decided the best way to do that is with the GoPro camera.

From the manufacturer..

GoPro cameras are used by more professional athletes, sports filmmakers and core enthusiasts than any other camera in the world. The HD HERO2: Outdoor Edition is the most advanced GoPro camera yet. Wearable and gear mountable, waterproof to 197' (60m), capable of capturing professional full 170º wide angle 1080p video and 11 megapixel photos at a rate of 10 photos per second, the HD HERO2 is the world’s most versatile camera. Whether your goal is to capture a great day out with friends or you’re gunning for the cover of a magazine, the HD HERO2: Outdoor Edition can help you nail it and look like a HERO.

I’m psyched! How much fun is this thing gonna be?!

It takes stills…

That’s me, sitting on my stoop, eating a banana, waiting for my ride to the event.

I left the setting on wide angle. I kind of like the fish eye effect.

But it also takes high quality video…

Now, I held the camera so please accept my apologies for the shakiness, especially at the end. I was booking it! :)

I have a head mount that came with the camera and I’m considering a chest one, but honestly, I like the control of holding it. It’s so darn small it doesn’t bother me at all. We’ll see. It’s probably going to depend on the event I’m running.

Overall it’s a fun little camera and I’m hopping to get some great footage to share on the blog. Let me know what you think of the video. That is if you can stomach the shakiness. I REALLY had fun grabbing clips and capturing my experience.

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Video Product Review and Giveaway: Quaker Real Medley’s

Quaker reached out and asked if I’d be willing to review their latest product: Real Medleys. Before agreeing I asked a few questions…

Can I have a little more information on the product before I agree. My readers are looking for natural and low calorie options. Do you have ingredient lists and the nutritional information? 

They sent back…

I’m including the Nutrition label for the Cherry Pistachio flavor oatmeal. All of the oatmeal varieties range from 250 -290 calories. The ingredients are not on this label, but I included them for your reference below as well. Let me know if it sounds like something your readers would be interested in.

Thanks!

Ingredients: Whole Grain Rolled Oats, Dried Sweetened Cherries (Cherries, Sugar), Multi Grain Blend (Whole Grain Rolled Oats, Rolled Barley,Whole Grain Rolled Rye),Brown Sugar,Pistachios, Almonds, Nonfat Dry Milk,Whole Grain Rolled Wheat,Natural Flavor,Salt.

Contains: Wheat, Almond, Pistachio and Milk Ingredients

After seeing that I agreed! I get all excited when big brands make convenient products with real food.

Our shipment arrived last week and I, again, put Little Guy to work helping me review…

He’s such a goof ball!

Anyway, as I said/showed in the video, Quaker Real Medley’s com in 4 flavors: Apple Walnut, Summer Berry, Peach Almond and Cherry Pistachio. To cook just add water and microwave for 45 seconds. You can’t get much easier than that! They are tasty, satisfying and convenient. A great combination for busy mornings and I love that you could eat them in the car on the way to work.

On to the Giveaway!

Simply leave a comment below to be entered to win a sample of Real Medleys and a $75 gift card. I will randomly pick a commenter and announce next Wednesday. Prize can only be shipped to the USA. Sorry my international friends. :(

Good Luck!

Update: People are asking about price in the comments and I realized I only mentioned it in the video. They are $1.79 each. Compared to bulk oatmeal it’s pricey but you have to take into consideration the additional ingredients and convenience. As they say, “Fast, Good or Cheap. Pick two.” These definitely fall in the fast, good category. Hope that helps!

This post is sponsored by Quaker. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Listen to your mother show (AKA leaving the zone of comfy.)

The show on Sunday was fantastic.

The rehearsal on Saturday? Not so much.

I could ramble on and on about precisely why (the podium felt weird, reading from a binder felt wonky blather blather blather), but the only important point is I left the rehearsal wishing I could back out.

I felt panicked in a way which Id never felt before.

I love getting up in front of people.

I’m a performer at heart.

I longed to feign illness.

Not only was the Listen to your mother show a departure from my comfort zone—-it was a tribute to the Tornado.

I wanted, more than practically anything before,  it to go flawlessly because it was essentially an act of love.

For her.

And after Saturday morning I was a frazzled mess.

I spent Sunday morning reading and rereading my essay.

In front of the mirror.  At the breakfast table.  Attempting from memory in the shower.  Alone in my bedroom.

Over and over and over.

Mid oneoftheovers I heard a timid knock at the door & the Tornado came into the room.

“Mama,” she said with the confidence of one who has done myriad presentations.  “When youre reading just pretend it is only Dada and me in the audience.”

And, as trite as it sounds, I immediately knew it would all be ok.

Id stammer.  Or I wouldnt.

Id get tripped up.  Or Id read it just fine.

I’d not make it through because I’d be sobbing too hard.  I’d appear detached because I was working *so* hard not to cry.

I knew no matter how I did—-it would be perfect enough.

After the show was over (when the video is youtube‘d you can see how it all went down) we went out to dinner as a family.

“I knew you could do it, Mama.“  The Tornado told me in her most serious of tones.  “Good job.  Now you know it, too.”

Today begins month number five of striving to live my priorities.

I think it’s a toss up between when Ive learned more about life and about myself: the past 42.75 years or the past five months.

I cant wait to see what the rest of 2012 has in store.

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A Very Detailed and Shocking Wednesday Weigh In

That’s what the scale read this morning. Down 2.2 on my scale from last week.

However, yesterday I had my Body Composition analyzed at the gym. Once a quarter they offer a Bod Pod test. This is the first time I’ve done it. In a nutshell it told me I was fat.

NOT KIDDING.

Here’s the details:

%Fat: 31.7%%Fat Free Mass: 68.3%Fat Mass: 48.768 lbsFat Free Mass: 105.080 lbsBody Mass: 153.848Body Fat Rating: Excess Fat 30.1-40%

Honestly, I’m speechless. I mean I know I’m not skin and bones but still, I expected to be in the "Moderately Lean" category. I also expected this not to bother me, but it did. I swear I went through the 5 stages of grief.

Denial — At first I thought it must be a mistake. There’s no way I have over 30% Body fat. I workout. I run. I lift weights. I workout 6 days a week for pete’s sake! Anger — F* you Bod Pod. F* YOU! Bargaining —I’ll skip all carbs for a few days. Maybe that will help? I know, I won’t eat after 7. I’ll give up ice cream. I’ll up my workouts. I just need to____.Depression — Why bother. It’s useless. Why do I keep trying? What’s the point? Acceptance — Whatever! It’s a feakin’ number. Like the scale. Like my size. It is what it is. I’m healthy. I’m strong. I’m happy. I just have to keep doing what I’m doing!

In all seriousness, the number stung. It really did. I know my diet isn’t perfect and frankly, I don’t want it to be. I can’t imagine not sharing ice cream with my boys or making smores after a BBQ or getting popcorn at the movies. I know if I cut these types of things out of my diet completely I could lower the number on the scale and my overall fat percentage, but I’m not willing to give them up right now.

I’ll say what I said to myself when I started this journey 7 years ago… If I’m going to lose weight I need to do it on MY terms. I’m living the lifestyle I want and that is WAY more than half the battle.

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Pregnancy? Or Hooker Heels?

Pic via imgur.

So anyways, last night I dreamed I gave birth to a very large child — about the size of a 5-year-old. It was the most horrific dream I’ve ever had since last night. I refuse to get knocked up again. I ban extra pregnancies from my life and denounce it from the very depths of my uterus. Four dang kids is enough. No longer lending my womb like it’s a cocoon. My body belongs to me now.

And yes, I did buy me some sexy hooker heels last week to compliment the awesome legs I’m sculpting (pic coming soon). Hooker heels and pregnancy don’t match, which is why I own the heels now.

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My Monday in Food Photos

I thought it would be fun to photo food journal today. I wanted a bit of extra accountability after my fun, indulgent weekend.

I decided to start the day with a nice glad of water and a grapefruit. I wasn’t really hungry but I didn’t want to skip breakfast.

Late morning I cooked up the most amazing soup out of some stock I made on Friday. I was hoping to get it up on GreenLiteBites today but I just ran out of time. Tomorrow, I promise. :)

Lunch was more soup and a hard boiled egg sandwich on a whole wheat bun. Notice the husband’s snack of choice in the background. lol

Afternoon snack.

Bean had some too. :)

Another afternoon snack.

An after school snack. Cucumber slices smeared with the Laughing Cow and turkey pepperoni.

Dinner was a mish mosh of leftovers. I had beans, broccoli and leftover chicken tenders from takeout.

Finally, and I almost forgot, an apple smeared with a bit of almond butter.

That’s all I have in me tonight. I’m off to bed. Tomorrow’s an early morning work out day!

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Clean Eating Lunchtime Combo (it’s easy to do ya’ll)

Lunchtime a la Josie

Check out my homemade, clean eating lunchtime combo: Seasoned, roasted chicken breast and a lightly salted, baked sweet potato.

…because I’m pseudo-fancy like that — not all the way fancy, because I forgot to sprinkle cinnamon onto the ‘tater.

But anyways, I prepared everything the night before and packed it up to feed my stomachs for lunch. It’s a protein/fiber powerhouse that’ll keep you full and energized, and your sexy bawwdy on the lean side. And yep, this combo is only around 375 calories, so I had room left over for a fist-full of popcorn (I have Hulk-sized fists, just take a look for yourself) and a tasty Shakeology Cookie. As if I’d skip out on dessert?

Clean eating makes me feel all powerful ‘n stuff.

It’s easy to eat this way and keep your fatty parts on meltdown when you plan ahead. Food planning is super important to your weight loss goals, so don’t you be lollygagging about pre-planning your meals.

Plan those meals, or else!!!

Don’t make me come after you if you’re failing to plan. I possess stalker-vision and will most certainly use it. O_0

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