Bargain Hunter: $20 Finds on Floral

I get pretty lucky sometimes.

The new house will require a lot of things. There are the big items like materials to finish the basement such as carpet, doors and millwork. That's the big stuff and I will leave that to Jud's department. and he's pretty good at finding bargains.

It's the little things for me. The ones that make the house a home. But I will have to be pretty frugal and that's where I will have to use my knack at finding the bargains will come in.

Today, I spent a little over $20 at the thrift store to find some nice decor for the house. I specifically, if not patiently, waited for today to visit my favorite thrift store. It's "knick-knacks" day and all decorative items and baskets would be on sale.

It paid off because I scored some nice silk florals and greens along with a wood vase and red ceramic urn I have been coveting for some time. Thank goodness they were still there. The wood vase was pretty. It was 4-sided and laid with 1"x1" bark in a checkerboard pattern. Not bad for about $4 in materials.

The red urn was in awesome condition and I wanted ivy trailing down the opening. I found some gold foiled floral pieces for accent and landed a nice 6' ivy swag with clear little crystal berries.

Not a bad day's work. Slowly but surely, I'll decorate our house and I'd like to do it with as much bargains as I can find.

Feeling the Pinch

The reality of the weight loss process is that I am not perfect. The best I can do is to be as mindful as I can be for the most part.

I fell off the wagon in my diet journal for a number of days. Ditto on the videos. Still, I was mindful of my food intake and that has to be worth something. In retrospect, this still has been a good week and I am not going to beat myself up on my lapse.

I do feel like I had so much to do that "triage" was how I dealt with everything. I would have loved to feel a little bit of calm but that was apparently not in the cards.

Between the stress and anxiety of having to do my first Zumba class at Curves, keeping up with my modest design work for which I am close to burning bridges, a crazy parent who apparently has delusions of grandeur, tight finances, and plantar fasciitis pain, I feel like I am mentally stretched thin which, of course, transfers to physical fatigue. I am tired.

Did I say that I am also a mom? Happy Mother's Day!

Week 7 Day 3 on Curves Complete

AM Weigh In @ 179.8

Today was an all-out Zumba day. I choreo'd and practiced my 30 minute mix for Curves and went to a one-hour zumba class with the girls in Sugar City. On top of the circuit, I put in a whole lot of steps and burned a ton of calories.

Fuel Your Muscles Video: "We need energy in order to function. A balanced intake of carbs, fats and proteins are needed to fuel muscle. Consume protein before or after a workout. It is the building block for new muscle."

Week 7 Day 7 on Curves Complete

AM Weigh In @ 178

So...it's Mother's Day and I sure hope to make it a good productive one!

Celebrations Video: "Don't derail your goals and diet. Choose a special treat in small measures and enjoy it."

Week 7 Day 6 on Curves Complete

AM Weigh In @ ... haven't a clue!

I did not get a chance to get my weigh-in done this morning in my rush to get ready for the craft fair. On the plus side,  I didn't pig out and actually had a rather healthy flounder on greens for a very modest $5.

No workout either but we did go for a nice long walk tonight after dinner.

Another Cue: Portion Sizes Video: "You don't need more."

Week 7 Day 5 on Curves Complete

AM Weigh In @ 177.6

Walked to the club with Phyllis, did a circuit, and walked back home. It was an awesome sunny day and it felt good to get a good workout in.

Sizing Up Your Portions Video: "Restaurant portions have really distorted our view of what true portions are."

Week 7 Day 4 on Curves Complete

AM Weigh In @ 177.6

I actually weighed in at 178.8 but when I got to the club and did my CC coaching after MY first Zumba class. I loved it and I am SO glad the ladies enjoyed it as well.

Vitamin intake is a bit of challenge in the morning. Between the amount of pills I take and the big glass of water I gulp down, it always seem to feel like I am going to drown in water. It also tends to make me less hungry for breakfast which isn't such a great side-effect if I want to eat breakfast.

Using Exchanges Video: "Don't forget free veggies."

Week 6 Day 6 on Curves Complete

AM Weigh In @ 180.4

I am SORE! That Bar Method class yesterday was awesome and definitely worth adding to the regimen but not twice a week. I think an every other week routine would work to engage those muscles that I normally don't focus on as much! WOUCH!

Refocus, Recommit Video: "This is a process. When faced with a cue, recommit to your goals."

Week 6 Day 5 on Curves Complete

AM Weigh In @ 179.6

Worked the Bar Method today with Julie. Good lord! What a workout!

Cues in the Pantry Video: "Mindless easting (?)...keep healthy foods handy."

Week 6 Day 4 on Curves Complete

AM Weigh In @ 179.6

It's a Thursday. 'Nuf said.

Navigate your Cues Video: "The definition of insanity is doing something over and over again expecting a different result."

Week 6 Day 3 on Curves Complete

AM Weigh In @ 180.6

I am still tired from the trip but I am recovering. Worked today but the workout seemed to have disappeared but I forgive myself.

Making Sense of Food Labels Video: "Consume less than 300mg of cholesterol daily. Excess sodium contributes to high cholesterol so consume less than 2000mg daily. An average calorie intake is about 2000."

Week 6 Day 2 on Curves Complete

AM Weigh In @182.6

Bath to 1200 calories today just to make sure. It will be a busy catch-up day so we'll see just how far I get. It's a cool 44º F out there and it looks like "warm dress" is the order of the day.

Since I did my run yesterday, I will work a club circuit and do zumba tonight! Unfortunately, it's too damn windy to ride my bike.

Shopping Smart Video: "The perimeter of the grocery store offers the healthiest items."

Week 6 Day 1 on Curves Complete

AM Weigh In @ 181.4

I traveled back today and though I am already missing that distinctive Illinois air, I am looking forward to getting home. As much as I enjoyed my trip, getting my training in, and seeing wonderful old friends, this body just wants to be back in a normal routine and my own bed.

I did one last run in Geneva, exploring another path on Mill Creek that Holly told me about. I love the area! I wish I could transplant those extensive paths to Teton Valley. It was a misty cool morning for a run but I thoroughly enjoyed it. By the last mile of my jog/walk cycle, I felt like my muscles were well-greased and I was getting the gait right.

I wish...I wish...but I'll be back. In the meantime, I have to stay the course. I have a good 15 pounds to go!

24 Hour Living Video: "Get in the present and stop worrying about the future."

Week 5 (CHICAGO) on Curves Complete

Tuesday:

AM Weigh In 180.4. Videos NONE. Sorry, but I am not going to backtrack and watch them. It's all I can do to sort out my week in review.

I ran in the morning around Bolingbrook–an altogether pleasant run that included a half hour at the Curves in town. I had even made it fun to walk from my car about 20 minutes to McCormick Place. I left early to meet Holly at her club for some water aerobics and met her group for a rewarding workout.

Dinner served at TGIF! A side salad with panko breaded chicken breast, cheese tortellini and mozza-tomato "salad"which was noted to be at about 600 calories so I will round that out to about 700c.

Wednesday:

AM Weigh In 181.4. Videos NONE. Not sure that I have the rest of the week figured out but I need to get back on the diet wagon. Today was a lax day. I decided not to return the trade show since it totally SUCKED! Not that I was really all that keen on it to begin with but what I did see was not particularly impressive so I hung out with Holly instead.

I had breaded chicken on a muffin for breakfast, followed by a mid-day stop at Starbucks for coffee and a "protein box" but did swing into Portillo's to pick up a chicken sandwich and fries. I only ate half the fries and a few bites of the sandwich. What a roundabout day! we dropped off the van at June's house only to find ourselves back there, picking up the van again after we had dinner at Gen Hoe in Geneva.

I feel so grateful for such wonderful friends but I definitely have  not mastered the science of travel eating.

Thursday:

AM Weigh In NONE. Videos NONE. Not a bad day if you don't count the raging headache I had in the morning. I had a protein shake and Clif PB Crunch bar in the morning, a mid-day lunch run, and a Luna Protein bar for a mid-afternoon snack. I left Curves Camp early to join Holly at her club for Aqua Aerobics and and Aqua Stretch. Dinner was leftover Chinese from her favorite place, Gen Hoe, in Geneva. We decided the cabbage in the egg rolls (yum!) was a bit of a bloater though...

Friday:

AM Weigh In NONE. Videos NONE. Forgot to weigh in. Oh well...moved on.

A long Friday schedule included Curves Club Camp, brainstorming with Cat, and a trip up to LaCrosse for Zumba training in the morning.

Let's see...how did my day go? I trained/worked out at the club in Elgin followed by another long day sitting but it did seem to go a little faster. Maybe having Cat there helped. I had my Luna Protein Bar, and PB/strawberry sandwich, and my protein shake. Lunch was with Cat at an interesting Chinese/Thai restaurant in downtown Elgin with chicken and veggies. There was an interesting salad there with chinese sausage. I wonder if Cat can remember if it had some kind of sauce on it because it was pretty good, actually. Travel snacks a disappointing order of cheese taquitos and sweet potato fries from a local restaurant paired with my equally disappointing leftover chicken sandwich from two days before. Dinner was not much better at the Best Western's restaurant. The chicken baked chicken breast had been under the lamp for a while, the cod was so-so, and the salad with cottage cheese was nothing to brag about. The only thing delightful was to arrive and find out that the hotel was situated on the banks of the Mississippi River.

Saturday:

AM Weigh In NONE. Videos NONE.

Didn't have an opportunity to weigh in today since I was at Zumba training.  I was only had latte in the and a sausage muffin in the morning. The rest of the day was a combo of protein shakes and bars plus my leftover cashews. I left training and headed for BK for a pre-drive dinner of chicken wrap, single stacker, and value fries with my diet coke. Fatigue was constantly at my heels so I had to take frequent breaks and snack stops–coffee, cookie, and a bag of sweet peppers.

Zumba (Basic 1) licensing was definitely worthwhile and I think that the ZIN certification is a good investment. It is still a bit confusing but I think I can sort it out. It does make me worry that I may be a better student than a teacher. Still, I have a lot of excitement for it and the possibilities it opens are very appealing. At $30 a month to maintain my ZIN membership, the next step would be how to push through my plans to teach both inside and outside of Curves to make it worthwhile.

Sunday:

AM Weigh In 181.4. Videos NONE. Not too bad for a week's worth of fun in Chicago and I am ending the week with a day of rest to visit with friends. It likely saved me that I spent Saturday in Zumba training that kept the calorie burn at a high level to make up for the madness.

Celebration day. I enjoyed my visit and reliving the the old days in my head. It was definitely a high calorie day so I need to tone that back down to my normal moderate eating cycle. Still, Portillo's was a pretty darn good place to eat. I think I may have packed in close to 3000 calories today.

Latte in the morning. Sausage McGriddle and Hashbrowns in the late morning. Portillos Lunch with 1/2 portion of my Beef and Cheddar on a Croissant along with Fries and Side of Cheese. Maybe it was a mistake to eat Tawn's Chicago Dog but it was definitely good. A mid-afternoon kiwi and line smoothie from my Maui Wowi friend. I think I will finish out the night with some French Baguette and my favorite brie.

So glad this diet week is over. It was definitely a challenge but–oh how delish!

SLC to ORD

When asked how the flight was, my response was tepid. Actually, the term I used was "uneventful" which, to me, is a good thing.

I have never been a comfortable flyer. I certainly appreciate the speed with which I reach my destination but I usually start out with a prayer to make sure that I get there. Today was no exception though I enjoyed a rarely seen perk.

The seat beside me was empty and I had the kind of legroom that I normally don’t have the luxury of paying for so I was able to find a little more humor in the experience. When the captain announced that we were cleared for take-off, I wanted to jump up and say, “Wait! I’m in the wrong flight!” I was even able to muster some bravado by taking my seatbelt off to get up and grab my backpack from the overhead compartment a couple of seats ahead before the seat-belt sign was off.

This good karma has been with me for a few days now and I am hoping it holds. The universe seems to be in alignment and I am wondering if I should buy a lottery ticket. After all, I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for some fortuitous moments that have led me to this point. Through the generosity of my friend and employer, I am able to attend my convention, training for her, and get certified as a Zumba instructor this week. Through the kindness and love of my high school classmate. I have a place to stay during my trip and I get to see old friends for the first time since I left Illinois over 20 years ago. Let’s not forget the young man who asked that I exchange seats with his wife on this flight so they can be together, thus bringing me closer to the front of the cabin.

It certainly felt like a first class flight without the first class price. If only the food was free.

Week 5 Day 1 on Curves Complete

AM Weigh In @ 181

It's a travel day. I had a late night packing followed by an early morning to take the shuttle to the airport. I have to keep mindful and stay the course!!!

Prayer Video: "Prioritize your day with faith. Begin your day with prayer and start each day with gratitude.

Week 4 Day 7 on Curves Complete

AM Weigh In @ 182.

It's D-Day! Jud and I did the Bates Road Loop with our bikes and I really enjoyed that. It was about an 18 mile ride and definitely a butt chafer for poor Jud. I feel pretty good though so I am happy.

Tips to Burn Body Fat Video: "Feed muscle and starve fat through strength training and consuming more protein. Research shows that taking calcium burns significantly more fat."

Week 4 Day 6 on Curves Complete

AM Weigh In @ 182

It is yard sale day! What a great way to start my first day of a new year–yeah!!! After having put together some things to sell well into the night, I came to our group sale with a respectable amount of stuff and came away with about $130 in cash. That will help pay for the trip this week.

Tips to Increase Steps Video: "Walking is a low impact (so is bike riding) cardiovascular acivity. Walk! Walk! Walk! Walk!"

Week 4 Day 5 on Curves Complete

AM Weigh In @ 182

Was that just a tiny bump on the road? No biggie! I went for the Bar Method class this morning and it certainly was a workout! It was a great alternative considering that I have only had an opportunity to do my running program once this week because of stupid plantar fasciitis issues. I still got my bike out for rides but I think it's time to kick it up a notch and do one solid ride this weekend.

Simple Weigh Loss Tips Video: "Breakfast is your most important meal; switch your afternoon snack to a PM snack, stay hydrated; sleep well!"

Week 4 Day 4 on Curves Complete

AM Weigh In @ 181.6

Good golly...what DID I do today? On the plus side, I worked out and got myself measured. I have lost some inches–yeah! The unfriendly scale at the club called me fat at 183 but I'm taking none of that. When I returned home, I re-weighed myself and I am still at 181 so that that you mean liar!

Mindfulness Video: "'A Beginner's Mind' is about selective hearing and understanding everything very closely."