Wer'e Home!!!!

Hey all - we finally made it home from Island Park and our Thanksgiving getaway with the VERY BESTESTEST FRIENDS IN THE WHOLE WORLD, the Browns - it was awesome fun and lots of great memories! My camera was LESS than cooperative but I did manage to get a few shots taken to share. Right now however, I am wiped out tired and going to bed! (me and my whining sore tailbone that is...) So for now, you just get these two wee wittle glimpses of fun... the kids adoreable crazy lil' snow buddy and ME in the car on the way home! (I know, what a ham and oh! don't I look lovely after a day of hot tubbing, playing, cleaning, no shower and loading up to go home? HA!)

Toodles! And Happy LATE Thanksgiving to all!!!!
XOXOXOXO!
Darla

PS I promise to share more photos tommorrow! PROMISE!

Ohhhhhhhhhh this is good!

What Is A Workout!?


A workout is 25% PERSPIRATION and 75% DETERMINATION. Stated in another way, it is one part physical exertion and three parts self-discipline. Doing it is easy once you get started.

A workout makes you better today than you were yesterday. It strengthens the body, relaxes the mind, and toughens the spirit. When you work out regularly, your problems diminish and your confidence grows.

A workout is a personal triumph over laziness and procrastination. It is the badge of a WINNER- The mark of an organized, goal-oriented person who has taken charge of his, or her destiny.

A workout is a wise use of time and an INVESTMENT in excellence, It is a way of preparing for life’s challenges and proving to yourself that you have what it takes to do what is necessary.

A workout is a key that helps unlock the door to Opportunity and success. Hidden within each of us is an extraordinary force. Physical and mental fitness are the triggers that can release it.

A workout is a form or REBIRTH. When you finish a good workout you don’t simply feel better; YOU ARE BETTER ABOUT YOURSELF.


******
Found this on a site that teaches training for a 13 mile
hike in Idaho - just perfect timing don't ya think?
:O)
Darla

Almost there

Almost to Friday, thank you Jesus. It has been a crazy long week. Crazy long 2 weeks actually. Will be glad when next week rolls around and we can get away for a while. I think I need it so much.
Weight was down a tad this a.m. agian - good thing too - don't think I could have taken a hit there. Feeling like a lot of hard work and focus is doing very little good. Being great with foods for a change but struggling with workouts and running which needs to be my main thing. I just have this almost "dread" in the pit of my stomach that running in the snow (which will be here too soon) is going to be a nightmare and totally will throw off anything I have built up to. Of course, I KNOW I can do other things than run, but that has seemed to be the most effective workout for me so now what? Also not seeing the results on my body like I did when I started to run, I am wanting to see dramatic change like I did before, that is always a downer too, but I know I'll get there someday, I pray anyway! Just need to get a grip, refocus and get back to a good place. Grrrr! Maybe if I get mad I'll get determined? Not my way, but might just work LOLOL!
Off to the dentist to see what is up with my rotten teeth. Danggit! I thought I'd seen the last of him for a while.....

Be good.
Darla

Weigh In Wed

Very long day.
Ready for bed now.
Drained and strained... and don't know why.

Weigh in today was ok - definatly not a repeat of last week's
amazing 8+ lb loss but I'll take it.
Just wish I "KNEW"
for sure I would reach my goal by next week -
it is pretty
out of reach now, but I'll keep trying. That
is all I can really do, right?

Later -

Protien Shakes

For those who have wondered, I have used a mix of the Curves shakes and the Herbal Life shakes - they both take 8 oz of skim milk per serving and figure up to 3 WW points. They are "so so" taste wise but not nasty at all. Some people cannot stomach the soy in them but I have had no issues.

Darla

Another Monday

Well, here I am - I made it through last week, sick kids, visiting with my family for lunch and all the other 'drama trauma' that came with it.... whew!

Having a good day here so far - just working till' 3:00 pm and then home with the kids who are off school today. Thinking of something yummy for dinner but can't put it quite together yet. Hmmmm.

On happy notes - weight is still down and lookin' good for weigh in Wednesday - yes! That makes me a happy girl! However, have not got in the running 2x a day like I had wanted - but will keep plugging on.

Tommorrow I am headed to Twin for the day to visit with my sister Carlee - Lisa (other sis) and I are gone after the kids get off to school in the a.m. Can't wait to see her!!! XOXO Kiki Carlee!

OK that is about all from me - more later!
Darla

Still Alive and Kicking!

Been a hectic week but surviving it all.... I'll be around more this weekend ok?

Did want to report though two things. One, I had a HUGE weight loss this week and I fully 100% attribute it to the change up in diet of adding the protien shakes a couple of times a day. I am NOT doing meal replacement (alot have asked) but I am adding them to my daily diet. I found I was not getting enough protien and I think that was my huge plateau - my body was hanging onto nutrients and storing fat, or at least that is what I think. So after all that time (since July) of hanging at a 3-4 lb weight rangs I am FINALLY down! This week I had a whopping 8 lbs and 4 oz loss!!!!
Yes, that is about the size of my third child at birth! Woahh!

Secondly, I am trying to run two times a day now. A.M. and P.M.! I think on my work days I'll probably only do one but we'll see how it works out. I am up over a mile again and feeling really good about it! Pushing towards that 2 mile mark once again!

That is all for now..... more later!
Darla


PS my trusty ol' camera is being finicky and not holding battery charge at all - since a set of batteries run about $10 a pack I am getting tired of it so no new photos for now... sorry

If you don't see me....

I am embarking on a super duper megga busy week - so if I don't post much that is why.

On the happy side of things - my running is WAY UP right now and my weight is WAY DOWN right now and I am one thrilled little skinny chicken sister!

Over and out dudes!

Darla

Sunday Funday - ok, not fun but relaxing?

Happy Sunday everyone! Hope your all having a great day, lots of relaxing gong on around our house, hope your are getting some down time too.
Let's see, what to share. Hmmmmm...

Well, first off, I have been SO good this weekend! I am very happy to report that I have stayed totally on plan with my foods and am hopefull for a good loss this week! I seem to always backtrack a bit on weekends, ok, A LOT on weekends, but this week looks good!

Secondly, well, that is about it. LOL Seriously not much going on. Just hanging out and doing the housework and so on. Guess that is boring egh? I am sure I'll have more exciting things to share this week - stay tuned ok? LOL

Have a good one!
Darla

Coolness....

At work - online - able to access the ol' blog! Cool stuff.

In 'real' news, I didn't get out and run this a.m. - couldn't sleep
last night, totally wiped out and had to be to work at 7 a.m. - ack!
Maybe this afternoon if the weather holds out - nice and cool in the
30's but no winds or rain -- SO FAR! (fingers crossed)

So, that is about it on my part today...

Be good to yourself and your body!

Darla

NOT A SLACKER (afterall...)

OH YEAH BABY!
I am so not the slacker today!
Just did a 3 mile loop (well, 2 loops) around our neighborhood and the soccer complex and I ROCKED! Totally totally suprized myself! Guess maybe I still have some of that adrenaline I spoke of earlier??
I did 3 miles and ran just almost 1.5 of it straight! I was just barely under and I did one short (super short, like 30 seconds) walk at the very end and then picked back up and ran to the end! SWEEEEET!!

Off to the showers! I deserve it! :O) YES!

Anyone Up for A Run Today?

Going to be a long day - I so needed to sleep in - but couldn't. O'well. So, hubby is off to the dentist in a bit and I think I'll go drag my butt out into the cold for a good L O N G run and jog. I have really slacked off and not only does my body need it but I think my mind does too! It is so nice to have the time to just clear your brain and really just think all to yourself!

Also, we saw an old friend last night who has been training for 'cage fighting' and holy cow does she look great!!!! Not sure how old she is, maybe late 20's? But she is so buff and looks fab, I am so proud of her!

We were talking about the adrenaline rush you get with workouts and even her fighting, and honestly I have missed that feeling. I was to a point with my running at one time where my head just sort of took over my body and there was no "thinking" about what I was doing, just the surge of energy to go further and harder and longer. I miss that - it is very very cleansing and invigorating!!

I kept hearing for the longest time that you hit a point where you don't say "this hurts, I am tired... I can't breathe..." and I thought everyone was pshyco - but it is true! I want, ok, no, I NEED to be back to that place! So, today I am going to push it big time!

Not much else to report - just getting kids outta here for school and Ed up for the dentist. Whoopee.

More later - be good!!!!!
Darla

THIS is what I did today - ALL day....

Just call me "Mrs Clean".... 8 hours later - oye!

Big Day In History For America

Anyone who knows me, knows I am NOT a politics kind of girl. I don't follow many issues and don't read up, study, ponder or worry too much about any of it. ( I know, shame on me) However, last night watching the election for US President unfold was very interesting and I loved watching the two men give their speeches after the job was done.
McCain was very gracious and smart and I loved that he encouraged American's to support our new leader as Amercian's rather than oppose him as party members - It was quite dissapointing that many in his audience boo-ed his mention of Obama's name.
On the other hand, Obama's speech was uplifting and awesome as well and what a turn in things when he honored McCain's efforts and his audience cheered the man who has served our country valiantly and put forth such effort in this election process. Both speeches were touching and I thought they both rose to the occasion with grace and dignity - too bad both audiences didn't follow lead.
Anyway, it will be great to sit back and watch the new presidency unfold and bloom and hopefully lead us to a new great time for our nation - and what a milestone for our country!

Darla

Love the extra hour of sleep! ZZZZ

Slept in this morning.... got woke up by a phone call and was pleasantly suprized to look at the time! Ahhhh one more hour! Awesome!

Went to a dinner date last night with a guy from Ed's work's family - was fun but late! We had dinner and visited and played - it was really nice to get out.

Today is just getting stuff done at home and so on. Laundry to catch up, stuff to prep for tommorrow, I have to work Mon morning so I need to have stuff ready for kids for school and so on.

Working SUPER hard on my health and fitness, wrote down some new goals and challenges for myself. Going to try a couple of "21 days to change" routines to see if I can change some bad habits too. Going to go walk and maybe run today, but it is raining and ick out so.... I'll go though! Tommorrow morning I am meeting a neighbor bright and early for a walk too - accountability - good stuff!

That is about it. Sorry, nothing too thrilling today. LOL Make it a good one!
Darla :O)

I AM Still Around...

Hi everyone, just wanted to let you know I *AM* still around, just been busy. I started to actually "work" this week and have been busy busy. I am working day shifts so far, 7a.m. to 3p.m. then just trying to keep up with kids and home in the down time! LOL
We had a great Halloween, the kids had a blast, Micheal was a Vampire, Tiff wore pj's and Dani put together her own crazy but awesome girlie pirate outfit - plus Chris put on his super scary face mask and gloves from last year, along with a work apron and went around scaring the begeebers out of everyone! Yikes! Our decor at the house was superior once again - Ed and Chris outdid themselves including a be-headed monster with blood pumping from it's neck and ghosts and ghouls all over! The neighbor kids (and parents) LOVED it and it was awesome!
Tonight we have a dinner date with some co-workers of Ed's - they invited us over and that should be fun. Hey, I don't have to cook too!!!!
Work is good so far, loving the job as I am learning gobs everyday - plus the other employees are super nice too. I think I'll really love being there!
Workouts have been bad. I have not been running in a few days, need to get right on that! I also missed tracking my foods yesterday which stinks - today I am on plan though so that is good!
Tommorrow I am going for a good long long long walk/run and going to try to do some Pilates again too - I really enjoyed doing those and felt them doing "the job" they are intended for! (aka - my tummy was SORE!!)
That is about it - for now.....I'll try to be more consistant with posts so bear with me!
Have a good one! HAPPY NOVEMBER!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Darla