A Health Update
June 19th, 2009. Published under General. 6 Comments.
I’ve been swamped at work and busy outside of work, but I’m popping in quick for an update of sorts.
Health/Fitness:
Well, since the beginning of the year, this has gone quite well. The strength training has really helped with my speed in running – now dropped below 10 minutes/mile for shorter distances.
I’ve also dropped almost 10 pounds since January 1 by not dieting, per se, but just making little dietary changes:
- Drinking my coffee black instead of with creamer.
- Not having the random cookies/cake/breakfast pastries that show up at the office
- Changing my morning breakfast from yogurt/light English muffin to oatmeal (Trader Joe’s Whole Grain Oatmeal in blueberry or cranberry).
- Switching from beer to wine when I drink.
- Eliminating almost all diet soda from my diet. I still enjoy a diet soda now and then, but for the most part, all I drink is water, fizzy water, coffee and tea. No sugar, no artificial sweeteners, nothing.
I don’t deny myself anything, but I just say “you know, I only need 2 pieces of pizza, not 3.” It’s amazing what just little changes can do.
Also, since the first of the year, my BMI has dropped from 28.3 to 26.8. My goal is to get to what calculates to 25.0 on the antiquated height/weight measurement calculation. I’ve been measured – I have a large frame* and I’m pretty fit for an old lady. Sure, I have some extra padding in places, but for the most part, I’m in pretty good shape with some well-developed muscles. So, for someone like me, a simple calculation isn’t a true reflection of my BMI. But, I have a weight goal I would like to achieve, and at this rate, I’ll hit it by the end of the year.
Without “dieting.” Not too shabby.
Allergies:
Since I discovered the chemical/perfume allergy, I’ve been on the hunt for products that I can use without causing me to react. Enter the glorious company known as Lush!
I’ve been using their face care, shampoo, conditioner and shower gel for about a month and a half now. My skin hasn’t looked this good in YEARS and my hair, which had been thinning over the past 4 years due to stress and, most likely, this allergy I have, hasn’t looked this good in a LONG time. Also, my scalp, which has always been a bit problematic, is healthy and not itchy at all. This, for me, is HUGE. People I work with have noticed the vast improvement in my skin and hair and have said so. That never happens!
At first glance, the prices for the products seems to be a bit expensive, but you only need to use a tiny amount of anything to get results – so it lasts a LONG time. I can’t stop singing their praises. Fresh, natural, handmade cosmetics that I can use without breaking out? Yes, please!
I think I’ll have to join a group for Lush-aholics soon…lol.
Wow…this “quick” update turned into a long one! Hope you made it this far. :)
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* “I’m not fat, I’m big boned!” -Eric Cartman
Reason #22,456,390 why I love Jon Stewart
June 18th, 2009. Published under General. No Comments.
I can do that.
The fly swatting/catching thing…not the running around screaming like a girl thing. :)
Single…Ladies?
June 3rd, 2009. Published under General. 3 Comments.
I love the song “Single Ladies” by Beyonce and the video itself is pretty…well…interesting. (go look it up on YouTube if you haven’t seen it yet) It’s also been parodied to death (See Justin Timberlake on SNL). However, today, I’ve seen the best one yet.
Now I could give a crap about the Jonas Brothers, but seeing one of them dance around in a leotard and heels embarrassing the hell out of himself…well…it makes my black, shriveled heart shine with joy.
Witness the humiliation for yourself.
Paula v. Paula
May 29th, 2009. Published under General. No Comments.
I don’t cook like Paula Deen*, nor do I aspire to, but goddamn would she be a blast to hang out with.
Melanie Hutsell of SNL joins Paula on a recent episode of her show:
I love how the real Paula can’t stop cracking up at the imitation. “Y’all…Is that how I act?” then dissolves into a guffaw-cackle. Refreshing to see a “celebrity” that can laugh at themselves.
Happy Friday!
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[Edit] * – i.e. using lots of butter, mayo and donut burgers.
No Wonder My Desk Is Covered In Cat Hair
May 18th, 2009. Published under General. 3 Comments.
Notice how unconcerned Chester is when I’m catching him in the act. Must be an orange tabby trait.
Tim’s Writing Debut!
May 15th, 2009. Published under General. No Comments.
I know, he writes on his own blog, but now he’s published his first article (a reworked version of his Green Gaming article from Earth Day) on the Examiner.com.
Do me (and Tim!) a favor and give a little click through love! He’ll be writing more in the Green Gamer series for the Examiner and you can follow along on his feed. I’ll most likely link to them here too.
I’m quite proud of him. :)
I Know How The Cat Feels
May 12th, 2009. Published under General. 1 Comment.
Project Homeless Connect was hectic, busy and all around insane yesterday…but it’s so rewarding to be part of such an event.
Good/Bad news is that we have another event in St. Paul in less than 6 weeks. Ugh!
Life Rodeo
May 4th, 2009. Published under General. 2 Comments.
The past two weeks have been a blur of activity! After a few conversations, I decided we would be having a small Cinco de Mayo Party this weekend. I suppose, technically, it’ll be a Nueve de Mayo party – but it doesn’t have that same panache as Cinco de Mayo*.
Whatever it should be called, it will be a lot of fun. It was a bit last minute, plans-wise, and there’s one friend out of last year’s group that for sure can’t make it, and hopefully she’s the only one missing. It sucks, but it was really the only weekend in May that was going to work. If I had better planning skills, I would’ve had it last Saturday. As it stands, I didn’t, and besides, May snuck up on me!
This week is the ramp up to one of our huge projects where I’m the main coordinator for equipment, layout and other non-volunteer related items. Which means that I have a lot to do between now and next Monday – including an evening training tomorrow night and most likely working the morning/early afternoon on Saturday to get everything together.
It’s a great event and I love the role that I play in it – it’s just very busy and intense the week prior.
This weekend consisted of me cleaning the house like a fiend and doing many loads of laundry. The weekend prior was spent in Davenport, IA for a friend’s wedding and the 6 hour one way drive on either end of it. Yesterday was the first day in a while when I wasn’t going all out to get stuff done, but I really haven’t had a relaxing weekend in a while. Side effect of having two jobs and waiting until the weekend to do laundry, I suppose.
I have to go through the photos I took at the wedding last weekend and get them uploaded to Flickr and get some errands run this week in preparation for the CdM party. I think I may take a crack at making guacamole in addition to the pico de gallo I made from scratch last year. Research must be done!
Hope you all have a good week. I know those margaritas my friend S is going to make will taste damn good on Saturday!
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* – Which, funny enough, is not a real Mexican national holiday!
Fleet of Foot!
April 27th, 2009. Published under General. No Comments.
I forgot to mention this in the flurry that was last week.
Despite the fact that I’m 15 lbs heavier than I was when I ran a 31:16 5k back in 2005, I posted a time of 30:25 at the Race for Justice back on Sunday April 19th! I’m attributing it to the fact that I’m awesome…heh…or…I think it has more to do with the strength training I’ve been implementing since last summer. It helped that it was about 45 degrees and raining too. I run so well in that type of weather.
So…I think this may be the year of my first 10k. I just need to pick one to do now and start training!
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