April Showers/Just What I Needed

This March was a rather rainy--and snowy--month here in Wisconsin. Shoveling snow any time of the year sucks, but especially so in March. With so many showers/snow storms in March, I really worried what April would bring (March showers bring April sours? glowers?) Now, April is nearly through and we're finally getting the rain our fields and flowers need.

Unfortunately, I had outdoor plans this afternoon. This weather made me think about how rain can literally dampen plans and spoil fun.

Sometimes what we need changes our plans. Sometimes what we need isn't fun. Sometimes what we need isn't anything we would choose. But once we are given what we need (or finally do what is needed) we can flourish with new life and new growth.

I'm still working on finding what I need, and it does sometimes feel like a storm. But I'm taking the opportunities to metaphorically dance in the rain. Enjoying the journey, as they say. Quitting my job has changed the stress in my life, and I'm eager to find out how these new challenges will pay off.

The Struggle is Part of the Story

I enjoy reading other people's health and fitness blogs. I struggle with writing posts because I don't feel like a strong writer, and because I'm a little insecure about putting so much of myself out there. But I care less about the latter the older I get. 

Quick update on my life and possible future post topics. I had my ACL replaced this January. My husband and I vacationed in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico with another couple last month. I re-joined Weight Watchers. I'm no longer vegetarian. I recently began my PT-monitored "Return to Running" program (and now couch to 5K). I quit my job. I'm in the process for getting a substitute teaching license and will give teaching a try, and maybe go back to school to be a teacher. I once again participated in the World's Largest Trivia Contest last weekend. I'm recommitting to treating my body and my mind correctly.

Ch-Ch-Changes!

My LONG absence is a sure sign that blogging really isn't my thing. Writing never has been. I have a couple diaries with these same long and sporadic breaks. But since I like going back and seeing what has changed, I'm posting an update.
What's new since my last blog pot? I got married! I joined instagram (KDSapphire). I'm using the KonMari Method for organization ("The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing"see link). I'm also newly vegetarian. I've been working on this for about a month now. I try to be vegan... and then I remember I'm from Wisconsin and cheese is a gift from God. :) I also just quit WeightWatchers. I highly recommend the program, I just needed to shake up my diet and switched back to MyFitnessPal. 

That's all for now. Maybe I'll post again soon. 

Happy New Year

... she says on the 12th day of January.  ;)

What's new:

Fitness and Health

I am "on plan" for Weight Watchers! Woot! I love the Weight Watchers program. It really works if you put in the effort and follow it. I rejoined on October 1st, 2013 and am over 20 pounds down. Last time I tried Weight Watchers I did the online gone to a meeting every week, but I haven't been 100% committed each week. I have been following their "simple start" 2-week program for the last week and a half. It focuses on the Weight Watchers "power foods" (lean meats, low-fat dairy, fruits, vegetables, and more). The simple start is a nice plan on I will probably return to it when I need a break from the traditional method of tracking. If you are familiar with Weight Watchers, it is similar to the "Core" plan or the "Simply Filling" technique. It gives a little more structure, but it still flexible. 

After the last meeting of 2013 I bought the Weight Watchers "Plan & Track 12 week journal." I resolved in the new year to track every day for these first 12 weeks. I usually tracked online using my computer, but I sometimes forgot. I also tried tracking on my smart phone, but it's been acting up for several months now so that process was frustrating. This tracker is a nice size to keep in my purse. I also like the "My Week at a Glance" spread which gives a week calendar to note what you plan to have or meals, activity, events. It also has an area for notes, gives tips, space to write a grocery list and list dishes you plan to try. At the end of the week there is a page for a wrap up to be filled out at or after the meeting (weight lost/gained, meeting notes, etc.). I give this tracker a big thumbs up.

In addition to Weight Watchers, I am also giving myself a daily grade based upon various healthy habits criteria. For example: flossing, drinking enough water, exercise, and eating enough fruits and vegetables. I'll try to do a post in the future about this grading method. I was typically an "A" student so this is a way to achieve small acts towards the greater goal of fitness and health.

Wedding News

I got engaged last June! My wonderful fiancé and I are getting married this October and are slowly crossing things off our to-do list. We expect our wedding to be attended by 200+ people (300+ on invite list right now). We have a minister, ceremony location, reception location (and caterer), photographer, and a few other things planned. I'm scheduling a dress shopping soon and am glad to have dropped some pounds before trying on dresses. I have a style in mind, but am willing to try different things. Other things we plan to do soon includes finalizing the wedding party (I have my girls selected, he still has a few to ask), setting up a wedding website, book a cake baker/decorator, book the wedding decorator (we plan to DIY a lot of this, but rent a few items to bring the look all together), start our registry, and a thousand other things. 

Weddings are a lot of work, but so are marriages. I'm so lucky to have this guy, and am excited to celebrate our commitment to each other. It's not all wine and roses (heck, he doesn't even like wine!), but we do have love and dedication. 

Miscellaneous Updates/Notes

My fiancé and I moved to a duplex in September. 

We're celebrating 2 years next month! (But I'm really looking forward to several things in February!)

Wisconsin is cold in winter (not new, not really an update, just a reminder)

Stay warm, classy, and positive. 

C25K: Week 2, Day 3

Whatever happened to "Day 2" go, you ask? Mwah-ha-ha! I will tell you. Week 2, Day 2 was "relax" day, and I did that with flying colors. :) I mean, I meant to go to the gym yesterday... but could justify holding down the couch thanks to the "Couch to 5K" instructions. It felt good. It's been pretty busy/stressful at work so I was happy to have some down time.

Week 2, Day 3
Walk: 5 minutes
Jog: 4 minutes
Walk: 5 minutes
 I forgot to grab today's post-it, but was able to remember 5/4/5. I'm smart like that. 

... and then I walked for another 47 minutes. Yes, I'm proud of myself.

Some more details about today's workout. At my gym each of the cardio machines has its own television. During the first 5 minutes of my walk, I turned the TV on and planned on flipping through to find something to good watch. But when I tuned in, Spike TV's "The World's Wildest Police Videos" came on screen. Clearly, I am not the target audience, but it was surprisingly good stuff to watch while jogging and walking briskly (I also enjoy watching "The Walking Dead" while working out. Or anytime, really). Also that show reminded me how many wild stupid crazies there are out there.

Another fun anecdote from my workout. There was a very toned and active-looking guy on a treadmill behind me. Well, he must have either lost is stride or tripped or tried sprinting too fast, but in any case, he made a loud stomping noise and fell off the treadmill. I turned around just in time to see him slide off the rear of the treadmill. I didn't know if I should laugh or rush over there to see if he was okay, but he popped up pretty quickly and gave a thumb's up that he was fine. It sort of reminded me of watching people two- or three-times his size faint and fall off treadmills on "The Biggest Loser." It made me glad it wasn't me who fell off, and glad to see it happens to slender people, too.

C25K: Week 2, Day 1

I have 9 weeks until my first 5K. Aaaaaaaaaaah!  So I found a SUPER EASY Couch to 5K Program to complete. However, it's a 10-week program (dum-dum-dummmm), so I'm starting on week two. I think it should be fine since I'm relatively physically active. Heck, I even went to a TWO-HOUR-LONG Zumbathon last Friday!

I created a little tool to help me track my work outs. I took a sticky note pad and put each day's assignment on its own page. Looking at the program as a whole is a little overwhelming, but the change from one post-it to the next doesn't look too hard. This is what the top one told me to do:

Week 2, Day 1
Walk: 5 minutes
Jog: 3 minutes
Walk: 5 minutes

It felt good to get going on this program, but I was already fatigued since I went to my 50-minute Zumba class right before the treadmill workout. At least the 3 minute jog went quicker than I expected.

OH SUGAR!

OH SUGAR! I know I shouldn't eat it, but I have a terrible sweet tooth. Additionally, I work in an office where people like to bring in treats. For example, I declined a piece of cake on Monday, a donut on Tuesday, and a cookie today. That is a step in the correct direction, right? Right?

According to my daily food diary I consume WAY TOO MUCH SUGAR. After I looked a little closer, I realized it is usually natural sugar from fruit. I try not to worry about those sugar grams, but it does add up. All things in moderation* and I need to be more moderate with my sugar intake.

My greatest downfall is chocolate. I looooooove a good chocolate. Chocolate and peanut butter, chocolate and almonds, chocolate ganache, chocolate donuts. Okay, enough of that. It is NOT helping!

What does seem to help, however, is dark chocolate. Specifically: Dove Promises. I think the special combination of a slightly sweetened piece of chocolate with an uplifting message really allows me to slow down and enjoy that bit of sweetness.

*Even moderation itself, we all have to let loose sometimes. 

5K!

I just signed up for my very first 5K. Eeek! It is scheduled for Saturday May 18, 2013. I was surfing Facebook and saw an update from the race page reminding followers that prices are set to go up at midnight. I figured it was a sign, especially since item number 21 on my "30 before Thirty" list is to run a 5k, and I just posted the list last night. (Bonus motivation: my boyfriend already registered for the half marathon.)
This 5K is a part weekend events for the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon. Who knows, maybe this running thing will stick with me and I can do the Marathon some day... we'll see how this 5K run goes first.
Something which is really appealing about these races is they end with a lap around inside Lambeau Field. I love the Packers and really look forward to seeing their home again.

http://www.runningmap.com/widgets/permalink.html?id=496964

30 before Thirty

Here is my not-so-long-anticipated "30 before Thirty" list. Taaaaaaa-daaaaah! I have been compiling and working on this list since last summer. I hope to have everything crossed off by my thirtieth birthday on September 28, 2013. Along the way I will be writing about these activities/goals and will share my progress as I make positive changes in my life.

30 before Thirty

1. Lose 30 pounds
2. Learn how to play chess
3. Volunteer for Habitat for Humanity
4. Knit or crochet a scarf (at least 4 feet long) or 3 wash rags
5. Make cheese
6. Make soap
7. Complete Adobe CS6 tutorials on Lynda online training
8. Participate in a Polar Bear Plunge 2/23/13
9. Swear off soda for a month, and greatly cut back afterwards January 2013
10. Learn how to drive stick shift
11. Travel out of the country (and, renew passport!)
12. Sew myself a skirt or other clothing item
13. Get makeup lessons
14. Create a 2012 yearbook (and, take more photos!)
15. Create a important information binder
16. Pay off student loan (or have enough money saved to do so)
17. Submit my childrens book for publication
18. See a “big” live concert
19. CPR/first aid certification
20. Competence in rock beat on drumset
21. Run a 5k
22. Run a “fun” 5k
23. Attend a Brewers Game 9/29/12
24. Attend a Packers Game 12/9/12
25. Go to 6 Flags Great America
26. Go to a Medieval Times Dinner
27. Beat a 10 minute mile
28. Visit a state I've never been to
29. Bike to work for a whole week (preferably become a habitual activity)
30. Lose another 30 pounds (yes, 60 total)

10 Pounds Down!

Boom. There it is. THE BIG TEN! Two hand fulls. A decade. Double digits. The Perfect 10 (well, maybe not that, at least not yet). Ten!

Okay, so I have a looooong way to go, but it is important to celebrate these little milestones.

My goal is to lose 60 by my thirtieth birthday on September 28th, 2013. I have a "thirty before thirty" list (remind me to post about that soon!) and I put "lose 30 pounds" on there twice. Because I can. And because I should. (It seems I also start sentences with "Because" and "And." Because I can.)

After I lose these 60, I'm going to shoot for 30 more. Eeeek, 90 pounds? That is a lot! But I guess that's why I set these smaller goals, but 60 makes a good medium-length goal.