Food and Workout Journal for February 29, 2008

8:00 a.m. About 3/4's a very large sesame seed bagel w/cream cheese, small glass lowfat chocolate milk

12:15 p.m. Scorcher's w/Susan: Fried fish sandwich w/cheese and tartar sauce, French fries (about 1/2), diet coke

1:30 p.m. 2 mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cups

6:00 p.m. 1 cup OHs! Cereal w/ 1/2 c. 2% milk, 2 mint-chocolate covered Oreos

WORKOUT: Cathe Basic Step on 6" step

DON'T DRINK THE WATER!!!

So, as I related in previous posts, a co-worker (who I am not fond of), is pregnant. Although she mentioned it to her boss (who is a friend and peer of mine), she has yet to make an "official" announcement to the rest of the firm as she is waiting for one more test. I'm fine with "not knowing" as she was a complete drama queen and attention whore the last time she was pregnant. She's been dropping lots of hints about it (talking about daycare costs, morning sickness, etc.), but she hasn't come right out and said it. I know it's killing her not to blab about it. Cathy is a rather large girl, so her pregnancy won't be very noticeable (when she was pregnant last time, you literally couldn't tell until perhaps the 9th month). So unless she tells people (which she will), people will just figure she gained more weight.

So today, I found out that two other (well-liked) co-workers are pregnant. All three of them are due around the same time (within a couple of weeks). The other two pregnancies are still very quiet as well, and I know Cathy is not aware of them yet. But when she finds out, I'm sure she's going to be bitterly disappointed. Once again (as with her last pregnancy), she will not be the center of attention. People happen to like the other two women and will be showing interest in their lives. Which is going to leave Cathy even more bitter than she already is.

But the point here is not about Cathy. It's just a general observation: Why is it when one woman in an organization or group gets pregnant, more are sure to follow? It has always baffled me. It's not like they planned it. Is it like death (well, to me it kind of is), where it "comes in threes?" Is it some kind of herding instinct? How is it timed like this? In the almost 15 years I've been at my company, there has never been one "lone" pregnant woman. There's usually at least two others (and this is not a huge office....we probably have about 75 people in this particular office, over half of them being men).

Is there something in the water? All I know is, I'm not about to drink it!

Food and Workout Journal for February 28, 2008

6:20 a.m. 3/4 c. Total Honey Clusters cereal with 1/2 c. 2% milk, small glass OJ

11:00 a.m. In meeting w/Judy: 5 tiny pretzel sticks, 5 Doritos chips, 10 cashews

2:00 p.m. 5 Rolos candies

5:45 p.m. 2 pieces Rascal House pepperoni pizza, small glass 2% milk w/Hershey syrup, 2 mint-chocolate covered Oreo cookies

9:15 p.m. Organic pudding made w/whole raw milk

Ummm....yeah, the diet wasn't too great today. It wasn't that I ate too much....it was that I ate crap. But I feel great!

WORKOUT: The Firm Complete Body Shaping w/Christa Riley (Body Sculpting System 3) - My God, I remember this workout being bad, but I forgot how bad. Let me re-phrase: I actually think this could be a decent workout, but there's some really disturbing things about it. First, Christa and Pam look like they came out of concentration camps. Truly. I can't even look at them. Second, Christa's cuing sucks. Third, you can barely hear her over the music. Fourth, they will start a move and not show the beginner modifications. Now, I'm over the beginner stage, but I still like to see what Libby (the modifier) is doing....especially for the high impact moves. I usually do modify those. Fifth, they get you started on a sequence, but it only lasts a little bit...there aren't nearly enough reps. Last, when they put their boxes to the side instead of straight-on, it's hard to figure out what leg they are on.

Food and Workout Journal for February 27, 2008

9:15 a.m. McDonald's w/Michelle (after setting up a seminar): Bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit, small diet coke (I know....it's death on a biscuit....but so tasty!)

10:30 a.m. 1 mint-chocolate covered Oreo (don't ask me how that came about...I just wanted one bad!)

12:15 p.m. 1 medium-sized bagel w/whipped cream cheese, 4 Dove chocolates

5:10 p.m. 1 mint-covered Oreo (damn things are addicting!)

10:15 p.m. (yes, that is the right time!) 2 pieces Rascal House pepperoni pizza

WORKOUT: The FIRM Tough Cardio Mix

Food and Workout Journal for February 26, 2008

6:20 a.m. 1 medium-sized bagel w/ whipped cream cheese, small glass OJ

12:00 p.m. Turkey and provolone w/light mayo on wheat bun, 15 thin organic pretzels, 2 mint chocolate covered Oreos, diet pepsi

5:30 p.m. (came home STARVED) Organic hamburger on wheat bun w/ketchup and mustard, handful of baked organic French "fries," 4 Dove chocolates

WORKOUT: The FIRM Aerobic Body Shaping with Allie Del Rio (TransFIRMer Series - BSS4). This is one of my all-time favorite workouts! I haven't done it for so long and held off doing it because I thought it might be too advanced. Actually, it was just perfect. I still use a 12" box for leg press and tall box climbs, but I don't think that will ever change.

Food and Workout Journal for February 25, 2008

6:20 a.m. 3/4 cup Total Cereal (Honey Clusters) with 1/2 c. 2% milk, small glass OJ, 1 slice pineapple

12:00 p.m. Turkey and provolone on bun w/light mayo, approx 15 thin Organic pretzels, 2 mint-chocolate covered Oreos, diet coke

4:00 p.m. 1 Milky Way Mini

5:15 p.m. Chipoltle w/DH: Split a Chicken Fajita Burrito w/DH (chicken, peppers, onions, salsa, rice, lettuce, little bit of cheese, sour cream), water

8:45 p.m. 2 Dove chocolates (OMG, they are sooooo good!!!)

WORKOUT: The FIRM Cardio Sculpt Blaster with Lisa Kay (Body Sculpting System 1)

Food and Workout Journal for February 24, 2008

9:15 a.m. Perkins w/ the Out-Laws and DH: 1 scrambled egg, 1 piece of toast with butter and jelly 1/2 pancake w/syrup, 2 small pieces of bacon, large glass chocolate milk

2:00 p.m. 2 pieces of pizza w/pepperoni and onions (left over from last night), 2 chocolate squares

6:30 p.m. 1 medium bagel w/whipped cream cheese, 2 mint chocolate covered oreo cookies

8:30 p.m. 1 and 1/2 large cereal bowls of popcorn (little bit of butter)

WORKOUT: Slim in 6 Ramp it Up

Food Journal for February 23, 2008

DH and I went to PA, therefore I didn't get to exercise today. And of course, food consumption wasn't exactly healthy!

7:30 a.m. Bowl of CoCo Wheats w/ raw sugar to sweeten, 1 banana, 1/2 wheat English muffin w/peanut butter, small glass juice

1:30 p.m. Lunch at LJS w/Mom: 3 chicken planks, a few French fries, 2 hush puppies, cole slaw, diet root beer

7:30 p.m. Dinner w/ Bill, Judy and DH at "The Main Event": small tossed salad w/ side of ranch dressing, 2 small pieces pizza w/ pepperoni and onions, 1 and 1/2 glasses of regular pepsi

Food and Workout Journal for February 22, 2008

8:15 a.m. Wheat bagel (medium-sized) from Market Cafe w/ little bit of cream cheese, diet coke (yes, that early in the morning), 1/2 Magic Cookie Bar (and it gets worse....)

11:45 a.m. 2 pieces Rascal House pepperoni pizza, diet coke, and another Magic Cookie Bar

5:45 p.m. 20 whole cashews, and yet ANOTHER Magic Cookie Bar!!! Small glass 2% milk

I'm not sure I had anything healthy today, yet I do know that I had my fill of Magic Cookie Bars!

WORKOUT: Leslie Sansone WATP Express Advanced 3 Mile Walk

Food and Workout Journal for February 21, 2008

5:50 a.m. 3/4 c. Total Honey Clusters Cereal with 1/2 c. 2% milk, small glass OJ, 1/2 banana

12:15 p.m. Scorcher's w/Susie: Grilled chicken pita (chicken, peppers, onions, mozzerella cheese on pita), French fries, diet coke

MAJOR MELT DOWN BINGE: Wow....I had a bad out-of-control experience tonight. I was making some Eagle Brand Magic Cookie Bars tonight for a potluck tomorrow. I started picking at the chocolate chips and then the coconut. I ended up making my own little "Mounds Bars" by putting the coconut and chocolate chips together and munching them....OMG, sooo good, but soooo bad! Then I had during the course of the night two baked Magic Cookie Bars w/ a small glass of 2% milk. Some of it is PMS, and some of it is just STRESS. I've been crazy-busy at work, and I'm trying to keep up with all my reading for my certification and keeping up with my workouts. Excuses, excuses....but I'm not going to beat myself up about it either.

8:30 p.m. 1/2 banana

WORKOUT: Slim Series Tone it Up

Food Journal for February 20, 2008

Today is my day off from exercise. I've temporarily moved it from Sunday to Wednesday since I have a study group Wednesday nights. I also have a study group on Monday nights, but I'm going to try to get a workout in anyhow (probably just 1/2 hour).

Here's the food damage for Wednesday, February 20th:

6:40 a.m. 3/4 c. Honey Cluster Total Cereal with 1/2 c. 2% milk, 1/2 banana, small glass OJ

12:00 p.m. Turkey and provolone w/light mayo on bun, 15 thin organic pretzels, 2 mint Oreo-style cookies, diet coke

3:00 p.m. 2 small pieces of candy (1 bite-size Baby Ruth, 1 Milky Way Mini)

4:45 p.m. Chipotle w/DH: we split a chicken fajita burrito (chicken, peppers, onions, rice, salsa, sour cream, cheese, lettuce), water

7:00 p.m. Small bag of buttered popcorn (at school), diet pepsi

8:15 p.m. 3 small York Peppermint Patties

Food and Workout Journal for February 19, 2008

5:45 a.m. 1 mini wheat bagel w/ whipped cream cheese, 3/4 c. Honey Clusters Total Cereal with 1/2 c. 2% milk, small glass OJ

9:45 a.m. 3 small cherry/cream cheese pastry thingies

12:15 p.m. Scorchers w/Kathy: Chicken pita (grilled chicken, onion, pepper, mozzerella on pita), French fries (all of them!), diet coke

6:00 p.m. 1 cup OHs! cereal with 1/2 c. 2% milk, 1 medium piece chocolate cake w/chocolate icing

WORKOUT: The FIRM Hard Core Fusion w/Allie Del Rio (TransFIRMation Series) - 57 min.

Food and Workout Journal for February 18, 2008

5:45 a.m. 3/4 c. Honey Cluster Total cereal with 1/2 c. 2% milk, 1 mini wheat bagel w/whipped cream cheese, small glass OJ

12:00 p.m. Turkey and lite provolone cheese w/lite mayo on bun, 15 thin organic pretzel sticks, 2 mint "Oreo"-style cookies, diet coke

3:00 p.m. 1 orange

5:30 p.m. 2 pieces Rascal House pepperoni pizza, 20 whole cashews, 1 medium-sized piece chocolate cake w/chocolate icing

WORKOUT: The FIRM Cardio Overdrive w/Allison (TransFIRMation Series) - approx 47 min.

I got up early today so that I could get an hour of studying for my HR certification in. That worked out pretty well. Hopefully I can do it again tomorrow!

Food and Workout Journal for February 17, 2008

8:45 a.m. Bowl of CoCo Wheats w/raw sugar to sweeten, 1 mini bagel w/whipped cream cheese, 1 whole orange, small glass OJ

3:00 p.m. Ate at "Hoggy's" w/DH (after we went to see "Fool's Gold" at the movies):

• Small tossed salad w/ side of ranch dressing


• "Big ol' Fish Sandwich w/ tartar sauce on bun (ate about 3/4's of the fish...DH ate the rest)
• Couple bites of DH's BBQ chicken
  


• Pickle

4:30 p.m. Small piece chocolate cake w/chocolate icing, small glass 2% milk

WORKOUT: The FIRM Supercharged Sculpting w/Pam Cauthen (TransFIRMer Series)

Food and Workout Journal for February 16, 2008

9:00 a.m. Small bowl of some kind of crunchy weird oatmeal w/cinnamon and raw sugar, 1/2 mini bagel w/whipped cream cheese, 1/2 orange, small glass OJ

1:15 p.m. 3 pieces Rascal House pepperoni pizza, 1 small (8 oz) can regular Pepsi

2:00 p.m. 1 Ghirardelli milk chocolate square

6:00 p.m. Great Lakes Brewing Company w/DH and Paul: 1 small piece bread, 1 very small piece pretzel chicken, French fries (about 3/4 of the serving)

8:45 p.m. Small piece of chocolate cake w/chocolate icing, 1/2 cup lowfat vanilla ice-cream

WORKOUT: The FIRM Ultimate Calorie Blaster from the TransFIRMer Series w/Stephanie Huckabee (wow....that was a sweaty one!)

Food and Workout Journal for February 15, 2008

Yippie....today was my last day of Crucial Conversations Training! I'm now certified to train the course and I'm very excited about that. Although I didn't feel my training exam (you have to get up and train a portion of the course) went all that well, I got some really good, positive feedback. It was also the last day of some very boring catered breakfasts and lunches. We basically had the same set-up every day, and it got monotnous.

8:15 a.m. Little bagel w/cream cheese, 1 lowfat granola bar, 1/2 chocolate muffin

11:45 a.m. Turkey and cheese w/mayo on rye bread, tiny bit of pasta salad, 1 large chocolate cookie, diet coke

4:45 p.m. A mish-mosh of stuff:

• I put the left-over chicken (with cheese, bacon, and onion straws) from Ruby Tuesday's on a bun w/a little mayo. I probably ate less than 1/4 of it. Just didn't taste that good.


• 1 leftover southwestern spring roll from Ruby Tuesdays


• Some baked organic "French" fries


• One TGIFridays mozzarella stick


• 2 Ghirardelli milk chocolate squares

9:00 p.m. 2 mini York Peppermint Patties

WORKOUT: Slim Series Mix It Up

Food and Workout Journal for February 14, 2008

8:00 a.m. Small bagel w/cream cheese, 1 lowfat granola bar, flavored water (0 calories)

11:45 a.m. Ham, cheese, and mustard on crossaint, small bag (1 serving) pretzels, 1 large chocolate cookie, diet coke, 1 brownie

2:45 p.m. 1 Valentine's chocolate candy

5:45 p.m. 1 more Valentine's chocolate candy

8:30 p.m. 2 bowls of popcorn (buttered and salted), 1 more Valentine chocolate candy!

WORKOUT: The FIRM Volume 5 I don't know why, but I really didn't enjoy this workout much tonight. This used to be one of my favorites, but I had a hard time getting into it. I think there is just too much on my mind right now (and WAY too much to do) and I wasn't in the mood to workout. On a different day, I probably would have liked it.

AHHH....NICE SHEETS!!

Sometimes, you can get the best deals from Overstock.com! Last week I ordered some 1000 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets. They came yesterday, so I washed them and put them on the bed......ahhhhh! So wonderful. I would link the ones I bought, but they seem to be gone now. I'm sure they will be back as the product had lots of good reviews. I've ordered a lot of bedding stuff from Overstock and have never been disappointed. But I do watch the reviews. I'm sure you can get crap if you aren't careful. You spend 1/3 of your life in bed...it should be a wonderful place to be!

That's Gonna Hurt!

So, yesterday I was walking down our driveway (which is slightly sloped) to get the mail. I knew it was icy, so I was being extra careful. Not careful enough, obviously. I hit a patch of very thick, very slick ice that sent me up in the air. As I was up there (both feet off the ground), I thought "this is going to HURT!!!!"

THUMP!! I was down. I fell on my left butt cheek and arm. The good thing was I had my thick winter coat on which must have cushioned my fall somewhat. I really wasn't in that much pain. But this was after my long, exhausting day, so I was just ready for it to be all over and didn't let myself think about it too much.

Today, I'm sore, but it could be so much worse. The only bad thing is that it hinders me a little bit with my workouts (I just have to work around the sore parts!).

Blogger and formatting

Honestly, I AM putting returns in between paragraphs. But this stupid Blogger thingy has a mind of it's own!!!!!!!

Taking a Break + Food Journal for February 13, 2008

Wow, I feel like I've been run over by a truck. I haven't slept well the last couple of nights and now I'm really feeling the effects. My Crucial Conversations training during the day (8:00 - 5:00) is going well, but it is really intense. The facilitator has a ton of information to get through, and it's hard to keep mentally clear the entire time. I have to give props to the facilitator...if I'm tired, and can only imagine how he feels!

My study group for the PHR/SPHR certification got canceled tonight, and I thought...."great, I can get home and workout early instead of late." Except that I knew I was too exhausted. So I'm taking a much-needed break tonight. Looking at my calendar, I've worked out every day since Monday, February 4th....that's nine days in a row. My goal has been to workout at least five days a week, and I've been hitting six consistently. But I do think with the study groups (two hours, twice a week, for 12 weeks), I'll need to knock it down to five.

DH and I decided not to face the Valentine's Day crowd tomorrow, but instead do something tonight. We ended up going to Ruby Tuesday's (yeah, it's not the most romantic, but we really like it), and we got the Valentine's Day special (shareable appetizer, salad bar, entree, and shareable dessert). So obviously the diet didn't go very well today! However, my portions were not all that big (except for the turkey sandwich at lunchtime).

8:15 a.m. (at training): 1 small bagel w/cream cheese, 1/2 chocolate muffin, water

11:45 a.m. (at training): Turkey, swiss, and mayo on white bread, tiny cup of pasta salad, 1 chocolate cookie, diet coke

5:30 p.m. (Ruby Tuesday's w/DH):

• Salad from salad bar (lettuce, peppers, onions, cheese, croutons, sunflower seeds, lite ranch dressing + tiny bit of Waldorf salad)
• 4 southwest spring rolls (that was our appetizer)
• Chicken entree (grilled chicken with BBQ sauce, cheese, bacon, and onion straws)---ate less than 1/2 the portion (it was HUGE), couple of bites of rice, 1 bite bread
• Double chocolate cake w/vanilla ice-cream (we split it down the middle)
• Water

Food and Workout Journal for February 12, 2008

I was at a training class pretty much all day off-site (and will be for the rest of the week). I'm learning a communications tool called "Crucial Conversations." This is fascinating stuff and I love learning about subjects like this. The class is for two days, and then there's a two-day "train the trainer" class, which I'm also taking. They are bringing the food in.

8:00 a.m. Continental breakfast at training class: small bagel w/cream cheese, 1 orange, water

10:00 a.m. 1 butterscotch suck candy

12:00 p.m. Ham, cheese, and mayo sandwich on white bread, tiny bit of pasta salad, 1 chocolate cookie, diet coke

3:15 p.m. 1 small chocolate brownie square

4:45 p.m. 1 small Buffalo chicken nugget

6:15 p.m. 1 mini wheat bagel (these are addicting! But they are only 100 calories)....w/whipped cream cheese, 20 whole cashews (about 1/4 cup), 3 mini York Peppermint Patties

WORKOUT: Slim in 6 Burn it Up! Man, this workout gets TOUGH. I did really pretty well. I've always had problems with the floorwork on this one, and tonight was no exception. Still, I got through 75% of the floorwork and all of the rest of the workout. I never do the yoga at the end as it's just soooo boring. It's only 4 minutes, though.

Food and Workout Journal for February 11, 2008

6:30 a.m. 1 mini wheat bagel w/whipped cream cheese, small glass OJ, 1/2 banana

12:00 p.m. Ham, cheese, and mustard on sesame seed bun, 15 thin organic pretzels, 2 mint Nature's Way Oreo-style cookies, diet coke

5:00 p.m. Small organic chicken burrito (pretty small), 2 mini York Peppermint Patties, water

9:15 p.m. Mini wheat bagel w/ whipped cream cheese, 15 whole cashews (tried to avoid it, but I was starved!)

WORKOUT: The FIRM Tri-Trainer All Cardio (aka Fat Blaster)

First Study Group

So I had my first study group tonight for my PHR/SPHR exam (still don't know which I'm going to take). I've got to say, I was really impressed. The organizer was actually organized, and the participants actually seemed intelligent! I know that should be an expectation, but after finishing my bachelors degree a couple of years ago, I realized that pretty much anybody can get a degree. The biggest battle is showing up. We had so many people in my cohort who seemed (to me) barely literate, yet they got the same degree I did. I was astounded. They just showed up week after week and the professors passed them. Granted, they didn't pass with a great GPA, but it makes me sick to think about all of the work I did (and the little they did)....and yet they are now "degreed" just as I am.

I was afraid that this group might be similar, but they really seemed on the ball and serious about the process, I'm excited about working with all of them.

Now the big decision: Which exam to take. I'm still torn. I have until sometime in March to decide, though. I'm going to try to take some sample tests for both exams and see how I do.

What's the Plan, Man?

This week starts my first week of PHR/SPHR study groups. They are Mondays and Wednesday nights from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. I'm aware that this could be a potential threat to my workouts, so I'm planning my workouts in advance so that I know what I'm going to do and I'm going to get it done. I'm a night exerciser, so I will do them on Mondays and Wednesday around 8:30 - 9:00 p.m. That's late even for me, but I'd rather do that than get up in the morning to do it (well, for now). In order to have time to get my studying in, I *might* get up an hour early to do that. I just think it will be easier for me to study than to exercise in the mornings. I'm mentally sharper in the mornings. I just don't feel like working out then.

Here's the plan for this week:

Monday (tonight) - Firm Fat Blaster (AKA Tri-Trainer All Cardio)

Tuesday - Slim in 6 Burn it Up

Wednesday - Firm Volume 5 (I can't remember what the re-name was)

Thursday - Slim Series Mix it Up

Friday - Aerobic Body Shaping (TransFirmer) w/Allie

Saturday - Project You Full Body Circuit

Of course, I reserve the right to change my mind. I just wanted to get a schedule established so that I don't have to think about it later.

Bus Ride from Hell....and Why I Hate Public Transportation

Quick background: I take the bus most days to work. It makes a few stops in the surrounding suburbs and then it hits the freeway to go downtown. My husband works similar hours to me, so he drives me to the stop and waits with me until I’m on the bus. At night he picks me up from downtown as I’ve become too much of a prima-donna to wait downtown for the bus by myself.

So today was a crazy day. It’s 5 degrees outside (Fahrenheit) with a wind chill of negative 14. For that reason, all of the schools in the area were closed. And due to the lack of traffic, my bus was WAY early. As it flies down the road, DH is chasing the bus. This isn’t something too out of the ordinary….it happens once in awhile. I always feel like I’m in the General Lee when this happens. While we chase it (instead of getting on at my regular stop), it’s picking up more people. And the bus lately has been ridiculously crowded. Standing room only crowded. So as we’re getting in front of the bus, I see a rotund lady waiting for the bus and I say to my husband, “oh great, there’s Mrs. Two-Seater! There will be even less seats available now.” Not nice, I know. And I was punished for it later. (And yeah, I know I’m not exactly the definition of thin, but I do NOT take up two seats.)

So DH gets in front of the bus, I get on and get a seat with a man that I know gets off early….he actually gets on before we hit the freeway. I’m pleased as punch as I know I’ll have the seat to myself once he gets off. No such luck. After Mr. Off-Early gets up, Mrs. Two-Seater gets up from her seat in the front (maybe because it was a 4-person bench seat and she was smooshed between people) and comes back to sit with me. Fabulous. And it was as bad as you can possibly imagine. I’m smashed up against the side of the wall. But it gets worse. The bus gets stuck in traffic on the freeway. It’s like a parking lot. Mrs. Two-Seater continuously sticks her head and some of her ample body out into the aisle so she can see what’s going on (good luck….the windows are filthy and you cannot see a thing) and then pushing her body back onto mine. Over and over and over again. She continuously moves around to vie for more space. And I refuse up what little I have left.

But, it gets better. There’s a man sitting diagonally from us who would Not. Quit. Clearing. His. Throat. It’s unbelievable. Just stop already dude! So the young chick who was sitting next to him gets up and starts talking to the driver about something. All of the sudden, the driver whips into another lane and somehow gets off of the freeway. He leaves her off and we end up doing circles all around the city. No clue why until the driver gets on the loudspeaker and says “Sorry for the inconvenience, but the young lady had an emergency. I’ll get you to work as soon as I figure out how to get back on route!” Maybe her emergency was that she couldn’t stand her bus mate for one second longer!

A 20 minute commute has just taken an hour and 15 minutes. It's enough to make me want to start driving downtown again.

Food and Workout Journal for February 10, 2008

9:45 a.m. Bowl of CoCo Wheats w/raw sugar to sweeten, 1 mini bagel with whipped cream cheese, 1/2 orange, 1/2 banana, (very) small glass OJ

1:00 p.m. 2 small York Peppermint Patties

2:00 p.m. Junk food extravaganza! Well, not all of it was junk, but it was certainly high-fat:

• Natural beef burger (Coleman) on sesame seed bun with American cheese, ketchup, mustard
• Organic baked French "fries" (not too many)
• 1 TGIFridays breaded mozzarella stick
• 1 small BBQ chicken wing from last night
• 1 more small York Peppermint Patty to top the whole thing off

8:30 p.m. Popcorn w/melted butter (2 large cereal bowls), small can Dr. Pepper (8 oz.)

WORKOUT: Today was my day off, but I laid around a good part of the day studying, and I just felt like getting up and moving. So I popped in Leslie Sansone's WATP 3 mile Advanced Walk and had a nice workout. Nothing too tough....just enough to break a mild sweat. I like these workouts for light days. You just have to tune Leslie's yammering out.

Food and Workout Journal for February 9, 2008

9:00 a.m.: Bowl of CoCo Wheats w/raw sugar to sweeten, 1/2 mini bagel w/peanut butter, small glass OJ, 1/2 banana

1:15 p.m.: Longhorn with DH: 1 small chunk bread; tossed salad w/side of ranch dressing; grilled chicken sandwich w/bacon, swiss, lettuce, onion, pickles, BBQ sauce, and honey mustard; water

8:00 p.m.: DH's friend came over for pizza and a movie - 1 piece of pepperoni pizza, 3 small BBQ wings, couple bites of a Honey Mustard wing, small can of regular Pepsi (8 oz. size)

WORKOUT: The FIRM Body Sculpting System 2 Complete Aerobic and Weight Training with Emily - had an awesome workout. I really missed doing this one. I thought it might be too tough for me yet, but it was fine. Emily kind of gets on my nerves, but she's okay in this one.

Food and Workout Journal for February 8, 2008

8:00 a.m. AuBon Pain sesame seed bagel w/little bit of cream cheese, small glass lowfat chocolate milk

12:00 p.m. 2 (fairly large) pieces pepperoni pizza from The Market Cafe, diet coke

6:30 p.m. 1/2 LaraBar (fruit-nut bar)

WORKOUT: Slim Series Tone It Up!

Food and Workout Journal for February 7, 2008

6:30 a.m.: Bowl of CoCo Wheats w/raw sugar to sweeten, 1/2 of a mini bagel w/peanut butter, 1/2 orange, small glass OJ

10:00 a.m. Store-bought chocolate chip cookie (from Kathy)

12:45 p.m. Grilled chicken, cheddar, 2 strips bacon, and little bit of mayo on sesame seed bun (probably ate 3/4's of the sandwich), French fries (broke my goal of only having French fries once a week....ate about 3/4's), diet coke

6:15 p.m. Small bowl of organic vegetable barley soup w/3 crackers, 1/2 mini bagel w/peanut butter, 1 small chocolate chip cookie, water

WORKOUT: Slim in 6 Ramp it Up (minus the 4 minutes of yoga at the end)

Food and Workout Journal for February 6, 2008

6:40 a.m.: 1 mini bagel w/little bit of peanut butter, small glass OJ, 1/2 banana, 1/2 orange

12:00 p.m.: Ham, cheese, and mustard on wheat bun, approx. 15 thin organic pretzel sticks, 1 chocolate chip cookie, diet coke

4:00 p.m.: Handful of mini pretzels, diet coke

7:00 p.m.: 2 bites of DH's steak, grilled cheese sandwich (wheat bread, 2 think slices Colby cheese, butter and ketchup), 2 chocolate chip cookies, water

WORKOUT: The FIRM Parts Cardio Step Mix - 62 minutes. Used 4" step and 3 lb. hand weights. Could have definitely used a 6" step at least for the first 1/2 hour. I didn't start to sweat until Tamela's part came up, which is a around the 1/2 hour mark. For some reason, her part is the hardest. I haven't done most of the Firm workouts that were used in this workout for almost two years, yet because of how they are produced (music synchronized perfectly with the movement, etc., I didn't miss any of the steps....it all just came back naturally).

Food and Workout Journal for February 5, 2008

6:40 a.m. 1 mini bagel w/little bit of peanut butter, 1/2 banana, small glass OJ

11:40 a.m. 3 pieces of pepperoni pizza, 1 chocolate chip cookie, diet coke

7:50 p.m. 2 chocolate chip cookies

WORKOUT: Kathy Smith Project You:

• Power Push (30 minute cardio)
• Lower Body/abs (30 minutes)
  

The High, High Cost of Childcare

As an addendum to my previous post about Cathy's pregnancy, I wanted to make a quick post about the cost of childcare.

One of the administrative staff mentioned to me that Cathy may be quitting after she has her baby due to the cost of childcare. This, I knew. She then went on to say that she didn't understand why she would quit because her childcare is "dirt cheap." Now, I would question any childcare provider that was "dirt cheap," but that's another story. So I said, "I have no idea what childcare even costs." She replied, "well, Cathy is only paying $25 a day, which is about half the going rate!" Hmmm....that does sound suspect....and very cheap. Until you stop and think about what that means.

$25/day x 5 days/week = $125/week. Not bad.

$125/week x 50 weeks/year (I'm taking off vacations) = $6,250/year. Not chump change, but certainly reasonable.

$6,250/year x 2 kids = $12,500. Okay, now this is getting expensive.

So, the question remains: Would you quit a $40,000 (approximately) / year job so that you could stay home with your kids and save $12,500? I probably would, but the difference is, I could. Although I don't really know what Cathy's husband makes per year, I get the impression it isn't a lot since she's always complaining that they are broke. My DH doesn't pull in a huge sum, but I could definitely quit my job and stay home without too much fuss (but we're also close to being completely debt-free). Now, putting two kids into the mix....oof! That might get a little tight. And doesn't sound like a hell of a lot of fun.

Then there is the other internal battle: do you want somebody else essentially raising your kids? I'm sure I wouldn't, yet I'd have a heck of a time not having a career. What I do is part of who I am. It would be very difficult for me.

Now, Cathy is not exactly career-minded. And I don't fault her for that. The problem with Cathy is that she continuously berates those people who are. She also complains that the same people have more than she does. I don't understand why it's so hard to figure out why!

So, with this additional baby comes additional burdens. I'm sure she won't be the only one suffering, however. She'll try to pull the rest of us down with her.....

It's been confirmed....CATHY IS PREGNANT!!!

OMG, the eagle has landed! Cathy has confirmed her pregnancy! She did this in typical fashion by telling our (rabidly) childfree office manager (her boss) that she would like to show her some pictures of her "new little friend." She then proudly displayed some ultrasound pictures. Susie (the rabidly childfree office manager), tried to quell her excitement, but it was useless. Susie is sooo hoping that this will cause Cathy to quit her job. However, Cathy was sure the excitement was due to her tidings of great joy. Hilarious!

But now the bad part: We're in for NINE LONG MONTHS of attention whoring. OY! More to come, I'm sure.

Food and Workout Journal for February 4, 2008

6:30 a.m. 1 mini bagel w/little bit of peanut butter, 1/2 orange, 1/2 banana, small glass OJ

12:00 p.m. Ham, cheese, and mustard on wheat bun, 15 thin organic pretzel sticks, 1 chocolate chip cookie, diet coke

6:00 p.m. 1 Pizza Muffin (English muffin w/sauce, lowfat mozzarella, 5 pieces pepperoni), 1 chocolate chip cookie, water

8:40 p.m. Small handful (approx. 5) organic salt and vinegar chips

WORKOUT: Kathy Smith Project You:

• Foundations (Cardio) - 30 minutes
• Upper Body/Abs - 30 minutes
  

Food Journal for February 3, 2008

Today is my day off from exercise. DH and I went grocery shopping, did a quick stop at K-Fart, grabbed a quick meal at Wendy's (one of my favorite fast-food places), and then went to the movies to watch 27 Dresses. It's a classic chick-flick, and I'm ever-grateful that DH will tolerate them for the most part. But even I was kind of "eh" on this one. It was a little too "chicky."

It's kind of a gray and depressing day. Usually winter does bother me (in fact, I wouldn't want to live in a place where we didn't see all four distinctive seasons), but today I'm tired of it. It's cold, gray, dismal. We have just a few spots where there is snow on the ground, but for the most part, you can see the grass (I'd actually rather see snow!). I think I need to plan a trip or something to look forward to. Maybe Cancun or another warm place. Hmmm......

We had a nice time at the Mardi Gras party last night, and we're now just kind of chilling out. Neither one of us gives two hoots about football, so no Super Bowl parties for us.

So, eating for today:

9:00 a.m. 1 cup OHs! cereal with 1/2 c. 2% milk, 1 banana, (really) small glass OJ

1:00 p.m. Wendy's w/DH: Spicy chicken sandwich with tiny bit of mayo, about 3/4 of a small fries order, water

4:45 p.m. 2 chocolate chip cookies, small glass 2% milk

8:00 p.m. 1 mini-bagel w/ little bit of peanut butter, water

Food and Workout Journal for February 2, 2008

9:00 a.m.: Bowl of CoCo Wheats w/raw sugar to sweeten, 1 piece toast w/peanut butter, 1/2 orange, small glass OJ

MAJOR SPLURGE: DH and I have a Mardi Gras party to go to tonight. I always make something to take with me to parties. Today I made my Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies, which are ridiculously good. I knew I would indulge somewhat...and I did. I had some cookie dough batter (probably two cookie's worth, although it's hard to tell), and then I had three cookies throughout the afternoon.

WORKOUT: The FIRM Hare Workout. Really enjoyed doing this workout again. I thought it might be a little too advanced for me, but I used light weights and a short step and was fine. I feel worked out but not beat. (Used a 4" step for ballroom aerobic sections, 12" for tall box, 3 lb. weights for aerobic sections, 4 lb, for triceps section, no ankle weights, 6 lb. weights for bridgework and inner thigh.)

Mardi Gras Party: Two medium glasses regular Ginger Ale, 2 ham and cheese wrap appetizers, 1 "rice ball" appetizer, 1 little chocolate square, few sips of champagne

Food and Workout Journal for February 1, 2008

Okay, it was Friday, which tends to be a "eat more" day for me. And I did. Some really fattening, unhealthy things. Seriously, I'm not beating myself up over it....but it wasn't a great way to start the month!

8:15 a.m. Bacon, egg, and cheese bagel sandwich from downstairs cafe with a small cup of apple juice. This, I can explain! I always get a bagel and cream cheese on Friday mornings. It's my little treat. My regular shop started to serve CRAP bagels. So I found another place. Only they didn't have bagels today. And the weather was HORRIBLE, so I couldn't walk the two blocks needed to get a mediocre bagel at Au Bon Pain. So I had to get a breakfast sandwich from our downstairs restaurant. And yes, it contained a bagel....but I would never eat one of their bagels plain. They are good for sandwiches only. So that's why I did it.

12:30 p.m. Pick up from Scorcher's: Grilled chicken pita (chicken, mozzarella cheese, peppers, and onions on pita), French fries. Almost all of them. WHOOPS! Diet Coke. So, the weather was shit, and I really needed to get something to eat. I can't believe I was hungry after the heart-attack-on-a-bagel I had this morning, but I was kind of "empty." So I went to the closest place (that wasn't downstairs), and got my favorite item on the menu. Which would have been fine by itself. But it COMES with fries. Really good fresh-cut ones. So I ate them.

2:00 p.m. 2 candies (1 Snickers Mini and 1 Three Musketeers Mini). Yeah, don't ask me why I needed this after the extravaganza from earlier in the day, but I did.

7:15 p.m. 1 cup OHs! Honey Graham cereal with 1/2 c. 2% milk, 3 mini York Peppermint Patties Yep, some more candy.

WORKOUT: Cathe Total Body Sculpting (30 minutes)...although this was short (and one of Cathe's "easier" workouts, I found it fairly challenging in some parts). It was a good workout for tonight as I was kind of beat.

January 2008 RESULTS

Well, I weighed myself today. Since January 1st I've lost a total of 5.5 pounds!

As far as inches go, I don't know. I'm just not very good with measuring myself. I do know that my jeans are definitely looser. Not hanging off, but loose. Also, my face doesn't seem quite as full.