running in shoes?

Well damn Blogger...glad you fixed your problems but now I'm missing comments (and when you only have a few you notice!)

Anyhoo...

Remember how excited I seemed to be when we got an elliptical?  And how I was sure it was going to help kick my butt back into gear?  Well I've been using it (not as much as I'd like) and burning calories galore, but I'm not so sure I'm seeing the results.  Since we opened our pool last week (and it is now Seattle rainy and chilly here, go figure) it made me realize that if I want to fit into the many swimmies (yes I call my bikinis swimmies) I own without feeling self conscious about my perceived problem areas I need to kick it up a notch.  So a running I will go.

Those of you who know me in the real world, outside of being in a computer (they're in the computer? - sorry I can't help the Zoolander reference), know that I used to run...a bit.  I've run two 5Ks and had aspirations of running more races.  But then I got married and figured...well hell, Hubster's stuck with me now...commence ass explosion.  But not really...I didn't plan for my butt to grow, it just did.  And that's my fault because I went from hardcore exercising before the wedding, to 'settling in' after and using excuses like, 'I'm tired', or 'well the gym isn't set up in the new house yet'. Well...no more excuses for me.  Now that the weather is nice(r) it's time.  Instead of pushing myself too hard, too fast which will result in burn-out, I'm going the way of the Couch to 5K program.  

Let's hope this gets me back to where I want to be!  Oh and my no-meat diet...I made it to day 14 when I decided that I was going to become a pescatarian for the remainder of the month.  Mmm...spicy tuna here I come! 

{ cindie }

coming clean

So remember that 'no meat' challenge I took to?  Well I'm glad to say that I was successful in my week of no meat...trust me it was hard.  Like, last day of challenge, going to a food party where two of the guests are amazing chefs from Italy who made homemade sausage and spiedini hard.  But I prevailed.  Yay me!

And remember how I was so proud of myself that I said I was going to go another week without meat?  Well...it's time to be honest.  I failed.  Like 5 hours after saying I was going to go another week ate a 1/2 lb burger with bacon failed. 

my Everest

Sigh...

When people asked me why I was not eating meat, I told them it was a sort of detox.  The best part was when I gave that answer to my MOH-H whilst drinking a beer.  Yeah...she totally called me out on that!  Truth is, though, now that I've gone back to my regular diet, I've noticed that my veggie diet did have an effect on my body.  See I have a number of GI issues and well, my adopted diet gave my system a much needed rest (even if only for a week).  So....

As hard as it may be for me, I am going to try to give up meat for a month.  A.WHOLE.MONTH.  wow that was hard to type I can't guarantee that I won't slip up (especially if I make it anywhere near a BonChon Chicken) but I will try.  My GI system (and I'm hoping my waistline) will be all the more better for it. 

My no meat for a month challenge won't start until May (because we just got a new grill and popping it's cherry with a veggie burger seems wrong to me) so it gives me a week to research some yummy veggie recipes.  If you know of any, please send them my way!

{ cindie }

P.S. If you haven't done it yet, check out my post below and vote on what you think of my possible new hair-do!

bang-a-rang!

With Mama Nature teasing us with warmer weather, I get the itch to change things up a bit.  Brighter colored outfits, fun spring-y colored nails, and perhaps a new hair-do.  I recently was watching a you-tube instructional video on eye makeup and developed instant hair envy.  Impulsive monster that I am, I was ready to call up my salon and make an appointment...but then I thought...what if only I think it would look good?  So then I figured...why not ask you, my trusted readers what you think?!  So without further adieu...

Here's a picture of my hair as it is now, after a long day at work

and here's a picture of what I'm thinking of doing...

 

Drastic right? Lol...

I used bobby pins to make some above the eyebrow grazing bangs.  It probably only looks like I just tucked my hair behind my ears.  Here's a picture of what I was trying to go for...

screen shot of this chick's youtube tutorial

Usually when I get bangs cut they aren't so thick (I moved the part in my hair quite a bit) and are longer, so I'm afraid of going short and reliving the horror days of when my Mom cut my bangs so I looked something like this

oh the horror

I know it's just hair and my hair grows like weeds, but changing one's hair can drastically change your whole look, which is why I'm hesitant.  So I turn to you guys...whatcha think?

or leave me a comment below on what you think I should do instead!

{ cindie }

oh yeah, I'm not in my 20's anymore...or...time to get my lazy ass off the couch

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  Since it's a workday and unacceptable for me to go to work drunk (or is it?) I'm celebrating by wearing green.  Yah..I know. LAME

Anyway...

You know how people tell you that when you're planning a wedding try not to diet too much because you'll loose weight due to stress?  It's so true.  At our wedding, I lost so much weight the week of, my dress was falling off at times.  It's the best diet a girl could ask for really.

So where are those people after the wedding to tell you that you'll most likely gain that weight back...and then some!

Since our September wedding, I've put on a whopping 15 pounds. Fifteen.  Granted, that's only 5 pounds more than I weighed before the whole wedding planning process began but it's also the most I've ever gained in a 6 month span.  I partially blame the awesome all-inclusive honeymoon we went on as well as marital bliss, but the truth is, I can only blame myself.  And my love of food. And wine. And beer. Oh and I think I might have a small degree of Prader Willi Syndrome (that or I'm just a glutton looking for a scapegoat).

Rather than throw myself a pity party I decided something had to change.  I won't join a gym again because we all know how that works out and I sadly have not been using the gym at work nearly as much as I should.  I was doing P90x for a bit, but then my urge to punch Tony Horton in the face grew stronger than my yearn to be cut like 'Pam the Blam'.  I don't believe in dieting...I believe in moderation.  And truth is, when I'm hungry...I can get crabby.  You remember the SNL Gap skit with Chris Farley?  

Yah...that pretty much sums it up.  And anyone else notice the name of the girl Farley plays? Coincidence? Hmm...
 
Now don't get me wrong, I don't think I'm fat...I'm just out of shape and not nearly as toned as I used to be.  I have a whole wardrobe of clothes that I love and can't afford to replace.  And my pants feel tight some days...which is often why I prefer to wear dresses.  Ok, so I won't join a gym, I don't use the gym at work (cuz I spend enough time at the office already), I want to punch Tony Horton, and I won't diet.  Sounds like a good fitness plan, no? No.  Enter solution

Fat Blaster!!!

Yup, we bought a brand new shiny elliptical trainer.  I've used it four times already and burn an average of 600 calories each time!  I'm not going to turn this blog into a fitness one, but I will update you on my progress to a more-fit me.  Just knowing that I'll check in every now and again will help keep me on the right path.

Bring it on summer, I'm ready for you!

{ cindie }