Biggest Loser, Winner, Whatever

46 Days and Counting

2012-01-24T11:27:00.000-06:00

That's how far away I am from getting married. From taking the big leap, jumping the broom, attaching myself to another human being for the rest of my life.

I was looking at my "To-Do" list from the knot (dot) com and it's not a big list. It's very small compared to what it looked like 12 months ago. A lot of it is follow-up phone calls with vendors and designating stuff to people for the actual day.

While looking at this list I got dizzy and I wanted to throw up. I feel like I got scared...and getting scared scared me.

I took a breath and I thought about what that meant. What is it I'm scared about?

I realized that it was the same feeling of scared and anxiety I get RIGHT before I step on an airplane.

Imagine if you will: I don't want to ride on the airplane...but the plane is taking me to Las Vegas! We're going to have so much FUN in Las Vegas. But I have to get there somehow... so you have to take the airplane. (In this scenario you cannot drive and trains are all on vacation)

The airplane is to the wedding as Las Vegas is to marriage.

I am not afraid of getting married. I have found one of the best men on earth and I wouldn't trade him for anything. The wedding just feels a little scary. I've been really brave so far. The kind of brave where you're 5 and your mom takes you to the doctor to get a shot...and if I'm really brave I'll get a treat. But now I'm at the doctors office and I'm on the table and 5 year old me is starting to freak out.

I've heard of lots of brides having anxiety and most of the time it's stress. Because weddings are supposed to feel perfect. And yes, I will be the most beautiful person in the room that day (when am I not?)** but there is a lot of relying on other people that day and it might fall apart. That is where Xanax comes in. (Just like flying!)

This wedding is going to be the best thing that has happened to me so far. And whenever we start to have babies, I'm sure that is going to feel the same way too....I don't want to ride the airplane...but the plane is taking me to Cabo. Mmmm...warm sunny Cabo...with a screaming baby.

**I'm really not THAT full of myself.

My Weekend!

2012-01-23T09:52:00.002-06:00

We had a great and busy weekend! Saturday morning was the Polar Dash 5K, 10K and Half Marathon. We all know the story there. Blah blah blah. It snowed pretty hard and seeing as how I can barely walk in slushy snow I didn't want to run the risk of running in it. SO here are some pictures of my race morning.

Me and my half marathon bib.

Me throwing my bib in the trash.

I decided to go to the gym and do at least a 10K because I had to. I needed to. But I had a good time and some great splits.

Today was also Ryan's secret Bat-Birthday party that I planned for him. His actual birthday falls on the day that we will be driving back from MI and I knew we wouldn't have time to properly celebrate his b-day. SO I surprised him. :) He loves Batman and I knew this would make him so happy. I sent him off for about 5 hours to hang out with his friend Jerry so I would have all afternoon to decorate and make a cake. He knew something was up because I had to kick him out of the house which I can never seem to do. But here are some pictures from my hard work.

Batman Birthday Cake!

This was on our door!

SURPRISE!!!

Nanananananana...BATMAN!!!

Thanks future wife!

I'm winning!

He was sort of surprised but we had a great time. Also the friends that were over celebrating us are leaving Chicago forever to move back home to MI. So it was nice to hang out with them again before they leave. As for the decorations, they are going to stay up until we get back from Bridal Shower Weekend Extravaganza because I worked to damn hard to only keep them up for 5 hours.

As for this weekend, like I said, we'll be heading home with two bridesmaids in tow to MI. It's going to be a ton of fun and we are so excited! Not only do I love car trips BUT I love parties when they are being thrown in my honor!

I just can't win.

2012-01-20T16:26:00.001-06:00

This is the current weather forecast for Chicago.

So the Polar Dash (according to the Polar Dash's facebook page) is totally on. This race is happening. Tomorrow morning, bright and early. They are saying that all the paths should be clear and everyone is going to have a good time.

I don't believe them. As it turns out, having the race last weekend was NOT dangerous and as a matter of fact it's going to be MORE miserable tomorrow.

I'm leaving the medal behind. It's not because I'm not tough. I can handle it. But I have to take a 40 min bus ride (or longer depending on the conditions of the roads), walk through the snow to get to the actual race site, (get cold and wet in the process), run the the 5K (the easy part), and then fight with how many hundreds of people to get back on the germ-ridden bus with cold shivering people.

No, thank you.

I am going to go to the gym bright and early and stay inside where its warm and dry and run as far as I want to. I would prefer to run farther than a 5K because I want to feel good. I WANT to do the 10K or more. So I'll let you know how it goes at the gym tomorrow.

My beau says he will make me a medal. :)

This is your captain speaking...

2012-01-18T08:33:00.001-06:00

I have a love/hate relationship with flying. Oh my gosh, I just hate it so much but I love it at the same time. That's what makes it a love/hate relationship.

I love that it gets me places quickly, but I hate everything else about it. The word "hate" should probably be replaced with "fear."

I didn't start flying places until I moved to Chicago. Until then, my body mostly stayed in cars. I flew once when I was 12 to Disney World, and apparently, that trip was completely uneventful as I remember slightly enjoying it. Probably because my 12 year old mind did not understand that I was 2 miles up in the air and it COULD kill me. I also sat next to my dad, who I recently found out does not like flying either.

To clarify, I actually did not mind flying until one particular trip to Detroit on Christmas Eve made me wish I never sat on a plane again. I flew a few times before that, back and forth between Chicago and Detroit, and those flights were totally fine. I was becoming quite the pro. But that Christmas Eve made me hate it forever. While flying to Detroit, we found out Detroit was having some pretty strong winds. (I was flying AWAY from the windy city, not into it!) At first it was so windy that we couldn't land in Detroit and I hear, "Passenger's, this is your captain speaking. We've been circling Detroit to try to make a landing however, the winds are too high and we are running low on fuel. We'll be heading to Grand Rapids, MI to land and refuel. From there we'll head back to Detroit to attempt to land."

To give you an idea of how short the trip is from Chicago to Detroit is, the flight attendants can barely get drinks out to passengers before they have to come back around to collect the cups. You are barely AT flying altitude before you start to land. Start to finish takes an hour. So basically, heading back to Grand Rapids, meant we were closer to Chicago then we were to Detroit. I freak out.

We're finally on our way back to Detroit where we try to land 4 times. FOUR TIMES!!! Three times we couldn't do it because the wind kept knocking us sideways and one time we couldn't because the lane WE ALMOST LANDED ON had a plane TRYING TO TAKE OFF on it. Needless to say, since then, flying has not been easy.

However, this is where my doctor gives me a prescription for Xanax. *Smiles Brightly* Flights are less intense. Getting ON the plane is still stress inducing because as you walk towards it you keep thinking, "OK, I still have 10 steps to walk away from this." But you really don't because you just spent $173 on this flight and you have to go back home. Sorry kiddo.

Well, Ryan and I have been planning this trip to DC for the Cherry Blossom race and trying to figure out how to get there. After everything was said and done, we are flying. I find myself just staring out and randomly thinking about flying and my mind is never made up. Sometimes I say, "A two hour flight is easy breezy. It's going to be just fine. Short and sweet." Other times I say, "What the F*&$ am I doing? I might DIE on this plane. Jesus save me!" (A recent report was sent out that flying in the skies has never been safer and fatalities are at an all time low) I also have to remember, that hundreds of flights happen a day and there are people in this world that FLY every other day. If they can make it so can I.

My future father in law is another story. He had a traumatic experience with a plane crash in Detroit (He's a mortician) and since then, I've been told, that you do not want to be his plane buddy. My parents in law will be joining us on this trip but luckily for both me and my father in law we will not be on the same flight. Because you can picture a great scene between a drug-induced woman and a freaking-out middle-aged man. I think it would go something like this:

*MAN GRIPPING HIS ARM REST*

Woman: Yeah! And then I told her she can SHOVE it because I'm not paying extra for something that's obviously included into the PRICE.

Man: (still gripping arm rest) Sure.

Woman: (getting louder) I mean COOOME OOOON!! Do I LOOK like the Queen of Sheba? I'm not MAADE of money. SOOOOOOO needless to say she kicked me out of the line. What the helll.....OHHH EXCUUSE me, sir, could I please get annozther drinks? Spank you! HA! I said SPANK YOU instead of THANK YOU.

Man: Oh dear God save me.

Scene.

Yeah....and that would happen. Because I don't follow instructions to not take Xanax and alcohol at the same time because you're not the boss of me, Xanax!

Back on my feet!

2012-01-15T18:58:00.001-06:00

Good news followers; I am healing well. :)

I have been taking it lightly while working out for the last week starting with the stationary bike, moving on to the elliptical and finally back on the old treadmill this afternoon.

I think the new running shoes helped out a lot! Oh, that's right. I got new kicks. NEW KICKS DAY! I got them on Wednesday....the day AFTER I hurt my back. Talk about a Charlie Brown moment. Walking home, head hanging down, sad music in the background while carrying my new shoes.

I ran a 5K on the treadmill, nothing fancy. I didn't want to hurt myself. My back is still stiff but I'm not in physical pain anymore. This makes me smile knowing that I can at least handle a 5K on race day at the Polar Dash. We'll see about going for the 10K. I have other plans that same day now so I don't need to overload myself.

In other news, I'm two weeks away from my bridal showers and I couldn't be more excited. Recently, a friend (Rachel) asked me if I was excited. My simple response was, 'yes'. She was surprised to read (it was via gchat) that I wasn't jumping up and down excited. That kind of excitement takes a lot of energy that is still focused on finishing plans on the wedding.

It's in there though. The little girl in my heart keeps jumping up and down at the thought of being the prettiest girl in the world on that day. The adult in me is thinking about pie and dancing. I also continue to remind myself that this about attaching myself to another human being religiously and legally. Oh, and for love. ;)

The man that I'm going to marry will move mountains for me if I ever ask him to do that. But he'll ask why I need those mountains moved, explain to me why it's easier to go around them, and convince me it's probably easier to fly over them then to drive through or move them. Because he's smart. Anyhoozles! Love and Lobsters to all of you!

Game Cancelled Due to Snow

2012-01-12T11:43:00.002-06:00

UPDATE: Game is back ON! Way to go, Chicago! This means I still have a chance to get my medal that I want so bad. I just need my back to be better!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm calling it. I'm as sad as I was when Game 1 of the Tigers playoffs was called off due to rain. We were READY!

My back started spasm-ing on Tuesday. Since then the spasms have desisted, however, the area is still very sensitive and sore. I paid for the half-marathon and recently decided that I was not mentally there to complete all 13.1 miles. I was OK with that. So I decided to run the 10K there. Then the back started to go.

Yesterday, I sat at my desk and really thought hard about what to do. I'm not ready to run by any means. (I'm hoping for Monday, as a week off has never killed anyone) I thought about walking the 5K. It's super easy, I can probably do it by Saturday, the risk is low.

THEN THE SNOW STARTED! It's now snowing in Chicago where we could get up to 6" by the end of the day tomorrow. JUST in time for the race on Saturday. The runner in me is screaming, "There is a medal at the end AND you paid $55 for this thing." The homebody in me is screaming, "There will be snow and it's going to be 20 degrees, you KNOW that walking is harder than running on you and you will barely be able to keep warm on the lakefront."

So I'm calling the game. It's over.

I know I'm smart because I have A LOT to think about and 3 other races that I have already paid for and are in a matter of weeks. I also have to be able to walk down the aisle without grimacing in pain.

In the end, it's the right thing to do. The cons outweigh the pros. For now I will be sticking to the stationary bike and the elliptical (hopefully) so I don't strain myself but also, I don't lose any aerobic capacity or strength. I will try to forget the money I spent on it. And I'll be OK.

"MOTHER!"

2012-01-11T10:59:00.001-06:00

That's what I screamed in the lunch room when my back spasm-ed like it was totally normal. This is probably the worst pain I've ever experienced. Random spasms at that bottom of your spine and you had no idea where it came from.

The first real one was when I bent over in the fridge to get milk for my cereal. Yau-zaas! So my day yesterday was spent TRYING to relax my muscles, but instinct tells you if you brace yourself for the pain you're more prepared for it. (Secret: you're not)

Last night my prince made me a panini on our new panini press (shower gift!) and brought it to me whilst I was heating and icing my back.

This morning I'm still experiencing some light spasms. But the real pain is when I spent $55 on a race for Jan 14th. SOB! So I'm patiently waiting for all of this to go away so I can attempt a 10K this weekend. I paid for this! I have to do it. But I also have a wedding to think about as I don't want a spasm face in my wedding pictures.

I'm not a reviewer...but my opinion matters.

2012-01-06T16:11:00.000-06:00

Real quick, just watch this video:

OK. This is Robyn and this is her song and video "Call Your Girlfriend."

There are so many reasons I love this song. The lyrics are amazing and promote being honest with your partner. (Or mostly just "Guys, don't be dicks. Call your ladies and tell them that you found another woman.")
It's got an amazing beat and I would run, walk, dance and just sing it over and over in my head.

Now if you didn't watch the video, watch it. Please.

OK. Welcome back.

There are a million reasons I love this video! It's amazingly simple but at the same time if you set this same equipment up in your garage you would look like an asshole dancing in your garage with old DJ lights flashing on you. So kudos to the production team.

I am not a choreographer. However, whoever IS the choreographer set up a camera in my bedroom as a teenager and took all my moves. (Minus the weird flip-over, hump the floor move) You can see my teenage angst in every move! As a matter of fact, I still bust some of those moves in my grown-up bedroom. (Minus the weird flip-over, hump the floor move)

I would like some credit for creating the most awesome video dance moves ever, Mr/Ms. Robyn choreographer. You can reach me here through this blog.

I Hate The Grey

2012-01-05T09:12:00.001-06:00

My life is pretty black and white. Something is wrong or something is right. There is a right way to do it and there is a wrong way to do it.

I've gotten a little more used to the "grey" in my new position at work. There are a lot of things that we work on where if you ask 3 separate co-worker's how to do something, you could get three different answers. None of them are wrong. But at the same time there is no "right" way to do it. This is a hard adjustment. I like hard and fast rules.

This wedding has thrown me for a complete loop. Etiquette says one thing but maybe your Aunt suggests something different. There is no "right" way to put on a wedding. There is just "your" way or the "couple's" way. There is something that has put on complete breaks for me. I have decided, on my own, to not invite certain family members.

Family means the world to me. I appreciate every single family member that I have and that I will get because of this marriage. But there are a few people who remain in the shadows who I know love me and I love them; but there is a good chance that they would embarrass me on my wedding day. And not embarrassing like, "Oh I remember when Kristen fell into the cake on her 8th birthday (not true!) but embarrassing as in, "YOUR WIFE AND CHILDREN COMPLETELY LEFT US IN THE DARK DURING YOUR EMERGENCY!!!" (not true!) *glass thrown, 175 people staring, one humiliated bride*

I prayed and discussed and yelled and cried about this decision with my family. It's a black and white decision for my parents. (They are opposing each other) But for me it's grey. I'm caught in the middle. I know what COULD happen at my wedding, but it breaks my heart to put one of my parents in the middle of something that they didn't decide.

We came to this agreement; that only some of the potential party breaker-uppers would not be invited. I would write them letters advising them that they would not invited and I would wash my hands of it. There's the answer. I am happy, sad and guilty of this decision. Is it black or white?

It feels grey.

Too..much...sugar

2012-01-04T16:42:00.001-06:00

I've been going to bed later lately, and by later I mean like 11:00PM. Which, from what I understand, is NOT actually late for a 25 year old. That time, apparently, is a pretty standard bed time. But for me, I'm either 6 or 86 and should be asleep by 10 if I want to accomplish everything for the next day.

Part of the reason I have been pushing the bed time up is because I've been having WAY too much sugar/caffeine right before I hit the hay.

I'm still coming off my sugar filled fantastic holiday where I said, "F-it" and ate whatever chocolate thingy I wanted. It's been a little harder to break the habit than I thought it would be. Lately, I've been drinking my caffeine-filled Diet Coke and some form of snack IN BED. (Your bed is for sleeping, not for eating!)

Here are some new 'rules' I have laid out for myself:

- No sugar/snacks after 8:00PM. (This is good practice for anyone)
- Diet Coke is not an every night thing.
- No more eating in bed.

I think 3 rules is enough for today...I'm not about to put myself through the ringer...I just want better sleep.

Good night.

Respect the Distance

2012-01-03T14:42:00.001-06:00

I've heard that statement from two people so far. That phrase sounds scary and amazing at the same time.

I signed up for the 2012 Detroit Marathon.

This will be my first marathon....ever.

The farthest distance I've run so far is 14 miles and I did that on Thanksgiving. So it's been proven that I can run MORE than a half marathon.

Respecting the distance is going to get me through the race. I know nothing about marathons yet except that people have died running it and there will be a lot of tears...a lot.

I've told a few people that I'm running a marathon this year and they assume it's the Chicago marathon...ya know...because I live there. However, I chose Detroit for a few reasons:

1. It is the ONLY international marathon where you run in two different countries but also goes underwater.
2. I dream of having my families and friends at the finish line.
3. I'm sure I will want a Lafayette Coney dog afterward.
4. Some things are just a little more bad-ass when you do them in the "D".
5. My brother doesn't have to travel to do this race.

I have a lot of work ahead of me. Not just training physically, but mentally as well. Researching the walls I can hit and the best training practices. I got Hal Higdon's book ready to read on my kindle.

But the point is...I'm ready.

2011/2012

2011-12-30T15:48:00.000-06:00

I guess I should do an end of the year post. OK? OK.

Things I learned in 2011:
- Wedding planning can be fun if you let it be fun
- Not all chocolate is created equal
- Patience
- (as always) God provides
- Less yelling = more fun
- I look amazing in dresses
- There are more ways to measure your success than just a scale

Most used phrase of 2011: "You like to borrow trouble."

Pounds lost from Dec 2010: 7 lbs

Miles run in 2011: 614 Miles (Thats from Chicago to Armada, MI and BACK!)

Injuries in 2011: 1 (and only; knock on wood)

Goals for 2012:
- Get married
- Have a great first year of marriage
- Enjoy all of our travels throughout the year
- Run the Detroit Marathon
- Drop the last 25 lbs that I want.
- Practice my faith more
- Eat more pie

There's also going to be a bet on how much pie I will eat at my wedding.....place your bets now.
(The following pies are going to be featured at my wedding: Butterscotch cream, Chocolate cream, Key Lime, MI 4-Berry, Double Crust Apple, Dutch Apple and Pumpkin Crumb.) That should help you place your most accurate bet!

BYE BYE 2011!

Yeah, I'm Alive

2011-12-21T11:33:00.002-06:00

Guess who get's to shut their brain off in 27 hours?

THIS LADY! Isn't she pretty? Look how happy she is and how lively she looks.

Now, look at this lady...

Hmm...she looks tired...and a little undead. Do you know what happened to this girl? She got real tired because her brain was working WAY to hard.

I would like to go back to being this girl...

Kissing chocolate covered strawberries and being happy.

My brain has been on overdrive since we hit the 3-month mark of "This is the wedding date." Wedding bands, putting music together, shower invitations being sent out. On TOP of this I've got about 10 mouths asking ME a bazillion questions that I have either A) Already answered, B)Don't know the answer to, or C) I answered it but I don't remember the answer so fuck it.

On top of that I spent 4 (count them, FOUR) hours trying to figure out how a marriage license application/certificate works. I asked three people (one whom just recently got married), 1 county clerk office and 1 notary and we finally figured it out. But God Bless, this much paperwork just to attach myself to one human being (whom I love with all my heart)?

For the first time in my life, I could cry with happiness that I get to get on an Amtrak train at 3:25 tomorrow and head home. Do you know why? Is it the warm kisses and hugs I get from my family and friends? Is it all the well cooked food I get to eat? The presents? No.

I get to shut my brain off....

I'm not answering any questions, I'm not working on the wedding. I specifically packed my bags with comfortable clothes because I plan to sit in front of the TV (like the average American) and zone out. I'm going to watch TBS and "It's A Wonderful Life" and The Price is Right and not think.

Because I deserve it. I'm tired. Not only that, but once the holidays are over, we are into OVERDRIVE for the wedding. AFTER Christmas, I will work my ass off for this wedding. Fun times, right?

I am looking forward to good eats, lots of fun and laughter and spending Christmas with the Parise's one last time before my future-husband whisks me away and we start our own family traditions.

So if you run into this girl...

Remind her that all is well. Jesus was born this day! And that there is pumpkin pie on the counter. This information will change her to this...

LOOK HOW HAPPY! YAY!

"Remember this for next time..."

2011-12-09T14:06:00.001-06:00

That's been said MULTIPLE times in my short, beautiful life by many, many people. Mom, Grandparents and more recently, Ryan.

Let's clear the air here and now, I'm (mostly) always right. I also consider myself a bad ass. I run outside in the winter. Bad Ass.

Back in October as I was picking up my race packet for the Chicago Monster Dash big flashing signs drew me into signing up for the Chicago Polar Dash.

LOTS of things went through my mind including, "Won't this be great?! I'll HAVE to train through the winter and that way I will hold off gaining winter weight right before the wedding. PERFECT! Here's my $55 and I will do the HALF MARATHON on JAN 14th in CHICAGO." (Reminder: Chicago is in the mid-west and it's nickname is 'The Windy City')

So I signed up for a winter race in October when it's still BEAUTIFUL outside. Also, I'm trying to collect as many Chicago running BIB's as possible before the inevitable move back to Michigan. I also LOVE bling. I don't get medals in life for anything else. I don't get a medal for having the cleanest floor! (Which I would win) But when I see this:

I HAVE TO SIGN UP BECAUSE I HAVE TO HAVE THE PRETTY PRETTY MEDAL!!!

This is not the first time I have made the fatal mistake of signing up for a winter race in the fall. Two years ago I signed up for the New Years Day 5K and it was ZERO degrees. That's crap and I lost $35.00. The curse of winter races is that there ARE beautiful and relatively warm days during this time but they never occur on the day of the race. EVER!

So I am going to train for the half marathon no matter what because in my heart I am a bad ass and I can't throw in the towel yet. Lucky for me, this is a half marathon, 10K and 5K...so if for whatever reason its just TOO cold to do the half (meaning I sweat like a monster and the longer I run, the more I sweat, therefore the longer I'm out the colder I get) I can and will do the 10K.

I do that so A) I will have NOT wasted my money and B) I can still come home with pretty bling. If none of this makes sense...you and Ryan have something in common; not understanding a crazy lady.

An Ode to Laurie: Trial Run

2011-12-03T18:48:00.001-06:00

Today, I tried my hardest to be the best Laurie I could. I even sprinkled "Laurie-isms" while trying to do my best.

3:45 AM - Get woken up my brother leaving a drunk voicemail. (This was NOT scheduled.)

8:30 AM - Wake up nice and easy...stretch and yawn. Also, use this time to shower, dig Christmas stuff out of the closet, grumble.

9:30 AM - Start putting up the Christmas tree. Gingerly fan out the limbs on the fake tree and string the lights on branch by branch so that way the lights are on the INSIDE of the tree. (Classic Laurie)

10:30 AM - Tree is up but not decorated. Sip coffee and start breakfast so Beau can catch up to his amazing fiancee.

Somewhere in here an argument started about "how much work he/she does/does not do" which was a very clear ploy by Beau to not have to help finish decorating the tree. (The ploy is probably not true)

11:30 AM - Finish breakfast and putting up the tree. Also, in between ALL of this, kitchen, bedroom and vanity have been cleaned....by me.

12:30 PM - Getting ready to go to the store.

2:30 PM - Back from the store where MUCH too much money was spent. But dinner supplies AND cookie making supplies have been purchased. (Before we went to the store I made a post on Facebook asking if I should make Peanut Blossoms from scratch or buy peanut butter cookie dough pre-made and stick a kiss on it. Kristen went with the quick and cheap way for a few reasons. One, its time consuming and expensive. Also, my kitchen is the size of a shoe box)

3:30 PM - (Classic Laurie) I'm just gonna lay down on the couch and close my eyes for a few minutes ....*SNORE*

4:00 PM - Start cookie making process. Cheap and easy cookies do not taste as good as made from scratch, however, sugar and butter are in the cookies and that's all that matters.

5:00 PM - Dinner is in the process of being made. (Classic Laurie) Laugh at Beau for his attempt to make stuffing. I asked him about 3 times if he read the directions. Silence followed. I advised him that you can't stir stuffing, but you have to "fork" it. This is when I start laughing....he didn't know what I meant by "forking" and "fluffing". Turkey roll-ups, yams and shells & cheddar.

6:00 PM - Dinner is FINALLY made. Commence eating!

6:30 PM - So full....

6:40 PM - Dishes done. There are only two of us but a dishwasher would've been most helpful.

It's now 7:00 PM and I am exhausted. I am proud to say everything was accomplished (minus laundry that was saved for tomorrow) Only TWO injuries were suffered. One cut from putting up the tree and one burn from trying to make cookies. One call was made to Grandma as to whether or not yams should be covered while they cook. (They do not)

I have a long way to go to being the best version of Laurie I can be. I'm going to go back to being the best Kristen I can be. Laundry and a 7 mile run are on queue for tomorrow.

For now, please enjoy these photos of the fruits of my labor:

The last one is not anything I did today. But I'm very proud that I have not killed this plant yet!

An Ode to Laurie

2011-12-02T15:53:00.001-06:00

I haven't had much to think about or say recently because we had Thanksgiving and my world has been wedding planning. Now that it's a little less hectic I just now realize that I'm tired. We're now in that phase where I can put up my Christmas tree and get ready to REALLY deck the halls. (I can also stop listening to people bitch about how "it's not even Thanksgiving yet and they have Christmas decorations up." Yeah, people, it's been that way for the last 20 years...we get it)

As I was preparing my lunch today (Progresso Chicken Noodle Soup) I started to think about the long list of things that need to get done this weekend, i.e. clean, find a place to put the tree, put the tree up, laundry, grocery shopping. As my noodle soup was heating a thought popped up, "Ohhh....maybe I should make some Christmas cookies." The thought hadn't even fully formed before I became COMPLETELY exhausted by it. For a few reasons, 1. It takes effort, 2. I would be staring at the freshly baked cookies waiting for them to cool so I could eat them immediately and 3. the beau would probably ask me to make them again. (I am a great baker, not so good of a cook. He is the opposite)

All of this led me to thoughts of Laurie, my mother. She officially gets recognition from me for all those years of being an amazing Holiday mom. I love my mother and I always will. Now I'm going back and looking at all those Christmases; she would write out her yearly update letter to send out with the Christmas cards; the beautiful decorations and Christmas tree she would put up; and of course, the marathon baking weekends to send cookies to her work, and the neighbors and our teachers. Holy crap. She was a mad woman. Not only were these baking marathons tedious, but the three fat people that she lived with (my dad, brother and myself) couldn't keep our hands off the cookies long enough so she could send them out, so she would have to bake MORE. God bless her heart that she didn't kick us out during the holidays. (Side note: the oven that she used for all these baking sessions is officially dead. On my most recent trip home the oven door won't shut and 3 of the 4 burner knobs have melted. MELTED! My theory is that she baked it to death or the stove committed suicide. I have my best people on the case.) This woman deserves the most amazing gourmet kitchen that money can buy!

She also makes AMAZING pumpkin rolls. Forget Paula Dean; Laurie Parise can melt your heart with just one of her magic bars.

I have no right to be exhausted by the THOUGHT of making Christmas cookies when I have such a high bar set before me by Laurie. The point is, I can strive to be her but it'll be a miracle if I can get half way there. If I'm this tired now, what's it going to be like when I have my own ankle-biters? I'm so grateful that I have an amazing example to live by.

Last year, my mom decided NOT to put up the Christmas tree because she was tired. Last year I bitched to her about that because it wouldn't be Christmas about the tree. (This "bitch session" did not get the tree up) This year if she decides to not put it up again, I will say, "I completely understand," hug her and get her some tea. She deserves it.

I will still cry out for Christmas morning pancakes! Did I tell you she makes amazing pancakes?

No Weigh-In November: Over

2011-11-22T11:54:00.001-06:00

I am always coming up with excuses for stuff and I apologize. There was no "real" excuse for ending it, but basically no one can go home for Thanksgiving, try to be "good" and come home without failing a little. PUMPKIN PIE is involved! So I wanted to at least see how I did for the 21 days that I did the experiment.

I did lose weight and I lost an appropriate amount for the time period. A little under 5 lbs was lost. Not only that but I lost inches, which is SUPER important. Maybe even more important than the number on the scale.

I was glad I did this mini-experiment, even though I didn't go a whole thirty days I did learn a lot. I find that it is important to weigh in just to get an idea of where you are at and to keep an eye on whether that number is going up or down significantly, but the small movements don't mean squat. I placed a lot of importance on those small numbers when it wasn't necessary.

The experiment itself made me focus more on how my body felt than anything else. Questions like, am I hungry, am I thirsty, what workout will I do, were all based off of listening to my body instead of what I "should" be doing. Because I listened to my body, I only actually overindulged once in the 21 days. (12oz steak, Parmesan/garlic fries, and chocolate cake anyone?)

The experiment did exactly what I wanted it to do...take the focus off the scale. I plan on only weighing in once a week from here on out maybe even less than that because I felt stellar when my accomplishments weren't based off what I weigh.

I still plan on being "good" this weekend. There will be A TON of food this weekend, however, I will also be trying on my wedding dress for the first time (THEE dress, not the sample) and I'm running a half marathon with my bro on Thanksgiving Day....why? Because someday we won't be able to do that, but today is not that day.

Everyone, ENJOY your holiday. Enjoy the time you spend with your family and friends. Eat whatever the hell you want just remember to listen to your body. And eat the F*&K out of some killer pumpkin pie.

Body Confusion

2011-11-17T16:59:00.001-06:00

Most of the day I ask myself, "What will make me happy right now?"

Usually, the answer is a nap. It also includes, a snack, getting away from the computer, using the restroom, getting some water. See? SUPER simple things. I'm an easy girl to please.

Towards the end of the day when it's close to closing time, all of these things are "happy-makers" at the same time. I'm hungry, I'm tired (or I have to go work out), should I go to the bathroom now or when I get home, I'm thirsty. This can lead to a very not happy girl on the train ride home.

The thing that I find MOST frustrating is when I am tired and I can't relieve it. And if I can't relieve it I have to find a way to make myself "happy" to relieve the frustration. This usually means I try to replace sleep with food. This doesn't happen as often as you think, however, when it does, it takes a while for "kranky Kristen" to ask herself..."what do you REALLY need? What is REALLY going to make you happy?" Is it a bowl of cereal or is a 20 minute snooze? It's honestly most of the time a nap.

I'm not "cranky" when I'm hungry....I get SNAPPY. And I mean SNAPPY. The beau does not like hungry snappy Kristen. He doesn't really like "kranky Kristen" either but she is MUCH more tolerable. HehHeh.It's easy for me to identify when I'm hungry, but not as easy to identify when I am tired.

The point is, it's hard to be in a cranky tired mode and also try to step out of that for a moment and ask yourself what you need. No, I don't need a nutri-grain bar, I need sleep. So when 5 o'clock rolls around, I just need to be a little more patient if what I REALLY need isn't at my fingertips.

Poor poor "Kranky Kristen".

Navy Pier Perfect 10 Miler!

2011-11-12T19:34:00.001-06:00

WOOO! I haven't felt that good after a race in a while!

It was an absolutely beautiful day out, a little windy but you couldn't have asked for a better race day.

My beau and I woke up at 4:40 AM as the race started at 7:00 AM downtown. That was kind of a bummer, but I've gotten pretty good at losing the pre-race jitters the night before and I slept pretty well.

The race was pretty flat as Chicago is not known for it's hills. I was trying to bust tail through most of the race, but there were times that it got congested, so there was a little slow and go and slow and go for about the first half of the race. It took me a while to get a good pace going but once I did it was very steady the rest of the way.

I had to keep going because I KNEW I wanted to come in under 2 hours. I JUST HAD TO!

I finished a little under at 1:58:02! PR! I actually PR'd! Of course, you always PR your first race distance but this was the first time that I actually beat an old time. Ha-zaa!

If you've never been to Navy Pier, it is a nice place for families. But as for actual entertainment there isn't much. There are a ton of restaurants including the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company. The best part of the race (and I even passed him crossing the finish line!) was Forrest Gump! It was insane how giddy I was. Ha!
He said, "So you did the 10 miles today? That's quite a distance." And my friend Alicia said, "You've done quite a bit of running yourself!" and without skipping a beat he replies:

"I had run for 3 years, 2 months, 14 days, and 16 hours." SO GREAT!

Here are some highlights from the day!

The Underground Chicago Tourist Guide

2011-11-09T12:08:00.004-06:00

At a gathering at work this morning, we were discussing the various "entertainers" that are sprinkled throughout the train stops of Chicago and a friend suggested that I post the best and the worst of these entertainers. You may even recognize some of them when you travel home.

Let's start with the best.

Monroe/Lake Red Line stop:

Are you the tourist who is not easily impressed? Than this is the entertainer for you! Making very rare appearances is the petite man who wears taps shoes, has a guitar, has a violin strapped to the guitar and ALSO has a harmonica. He's a walking band but not in the goofy way our classic Mary Poppins character does. Loads of talent comes out of this man as he taps the beat into your heart while strumming the guit-olin and blows on the old harmonica. Entertainer of the year? That's up to you!

Monroe Red Line:

Not worried about being impressed but just want to hear the dulcet sounds of a man that knows how to keep a beat? Keep an eye out for "Guy that keeps a beat on the map of the transit system." Singing and producing his own songs, this man will keep you humming HIS songs all the way home. No need to worry about missing him. He works down on the Monroe stop at least 3 days a week when you get out of work! Always there for you.

Lake Red Line:

Are you not into strong beats but more into the sweet melodies of Vietnam? COME ON OVER to the Lake stop on the red line. What appears to be (I'm pretty sure) an Vietnamese man, plays what is referred to a Co, Ke or Khi. This two stringed violin is placed alongside a stirring soundtrack played on his portable player and you're soothed all the way home. This person ALSO makes rare appearances so it is a treat when you get to hear it.

Now let's move onto the not so great.

Monroe, Jackson Red Line:

Want to hear gospels sung by a random lady on the platform? Neither do I. Free to the public, she's graced us with wonderful tunes but at the same time she's also forgettable. I NEED TO BE ENTERTAINED ON MY WAY HOME! Where is YOUR Co? Oh, no where.

Grand Red Line:

Want to pay zero dollars to hear such Motown classics as "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay" and "My Girl"? Yeah...so would I. Random man at the Grand Red Line stop sure has a great singing voice but as many times as I've heard him, not once has he gotten any lyrics right. No sir, I will not give you my change until you get these songs right! They've been playing for 40+ years now and also Google has been here for a decade. SPEND SOME TIME ON YOUR CRAFT!

There you have it....the best and the worst of Underground Entertainment in Chicago. Enjoy your trip while you're here!

Check-in: No-weigh November

2011-11-08T09:42:00.003-06:00

So it's been a little over a week now for No-Weigh November and I am proud to say that I have not cracked and stepped on a scale! WHOOP!

I will admit that 4 days into this experiment I was already complaining to my beau about how "hard" this was and I want to know how well I'm doing.

He had to quickly remind me of what this was for. First off, I was not going to magically lose 5 lbs in 4 days....so relax your crack. Second, this was about going off feeling my body. Am I hungry? Am I full? Does my body want to exercise but is my brain holding me back?

Here are my findings to date:

I do like to exercise JUST to exercise, more specifically run.

I can recognize when I am hungry and when I am not.

I have less sugar cravings. (I think this is mostly due to paying attention as to whether or not I am actually hungry)

My size 12 pants fit better!

I'm definitely excited for my 10 mile race this weekend and my "half-marathon race" with my bro on Thanksgiving Day. Dang...we so crazy.

NO Weigh-in NOvember!

2011-10-31T15:52:00.003-05:00

I'm getting married in March.

Now the world knows.

What this really is about is the fact that I really let whatever the scale says effect my mood. If I feel like I have a "successful" day on the scale, I have a GREAT day and everything is amazing and I am AWESOME. But when I have an "unsuccessful" day on the scale, I get miserably sad, I'm upset all day and wonder where I went wrong.

Saturday we walked a 5K and I knew I had to get a long run in that same weekend. Well it was going to rain on Sunday, so it had to be Saturday. I just walked a 5K and I'm tired. But it was now or never. I went and ran 7 miles that day. 10 miles traveled total.

I'm not going to weigh in this month and focus on what my body is telling me. Set new goals for future runs. Run faster. Strength train harder. Focus on being healthy.

I feel like November is that first month where you have to start "trying" to get out there. It's just starting to get colder and the days are shorter and you have to put more effort into working out. I don't want to let a "good" day or a "bad" day on the scale dictate how much harder I have to work. I'm just going to go off of my body.

This could either be a disaster (i.e. trying on that wedding dress for the first time/Thanksgiving day) or it could be the best thing that happens (i.e. I discover that being healthy is better than a number)

BTW, I should tell you that I am the healthiest I have ever been. I just got a work up at the Dr.'s about two weeks ago...

Blood Pressure: 110/68

Total Cholesterol: 170

HDL - 71

LDL - 84

BOOM! Did you feel the shock wave of those numbers!?!

NO weigh-in NOvember starts tomorrow and will end December 1st.

I also have a great race coming up November 12th, the Perfect 10 race! I'll be keeping up my half-marathon mileage to keep me pumped through this winter!

Monster Dash Fun Run 5K

2011-10-30T17:42:00.004-05:00

This past Saturday my beau and I walked the Monster Dask 5K and decided to walk it. He's not much of a runner, but we LOVE taking walks together. A lot of deep and also not-so-deep conversations occur on those walks. :)

The Monster Dash is a 5K and half marathon event. I was very excited to sign up for a 5K and not have to be all sweaty and gross at the end of a fun event.

Ryan is always game for something fun but I think I might have to start listening to him when he says, "OK, I'll do it, but it's not as fun as you think."

The website said that the course has a one hour time limit. I knew we wouldn't come in under that only because we were walking at a 20 minute mile pace. A great pace for a nice fall day to enjoy and see the sites.

We were having the best time and then we finally got to the "Finish Line" the half marathoners were to go to the left and the 5K-ers need to go to the right. The 5K is a fun run so it's not timed. But what I did not know what that they cut off the 5K course after the hour time limit.

So here Ryan and I are walking through the cones that cut off the course, through a crowd of people watching the "elite" half marathoners, and finally to the finish like where we walked to finish the 5k. Our one friend who knew us was screaming our names but everyone else kind of stared and occasionally clapped for the half marathoners but other than that it was odd that we didn't get acknowledged for doing our own 3.1 miles. We got our medals and got off the course.

I promised him that I would never make him sign up for a race again where a half marathoner gets more acknowlegement than the person finishing the 5K.

Ryan felt fine and I felt good too. We accomplished something together. And I even said to him, "Dang, walking this far might be harder than running this far."

Even though it was awkward, we were still proud of what we did, but I acknowledged that it was weird that the left over 5K-ers were pushed to the side. We're all athlete's and "No matter how slow you go, you're still lapping everybody on the couch."

AND

We got bling..

National Married-to-a-Runner Appreciation Day!

2011-10-26T09:45:00.002-05:00

It's actually October 25th. (This is according to the person who made it up)

I am not (almost) married to a runner, but my partner is. So he deserves some appreciation.

Thank you for waking up with me at the ass-crack of dawn to get to a race.

Thank you for immediately getting a Gatorade when I come back from a run looking like death.

Thank you for dealing with the stankiness that radiates off me after a good hard run.

Thank you for riding your bike next to me all summer.

Thank you for accepting traveling costs when I want to go somewhere "exotic" (like Wisconsin) just to run.

Thank you for finally understanding why I spend so much on shoes.

Thank you for always being at the finish line for me.

Thank you for understanding when I snap at you.

Thank you for rubbing my feet when I have a cramp.

Thank you for not touching my face when we're on the train so I don't run the risk of getting sick before a race or ever.

Thank you for putting up with my 9:30 bedtimes.

And finally

Thank you for always being proud of me no matter what. You recognize that what I do is hard (but I have fun) and I recognize that you'll support me in anything that I have a drive for.

I love you!

Great Lakes ZoomaRun Half Marathon

2011-10-24T10:19:00.015-05:00

Let's start at the beginning. First off, we stayed at a lovely hotel, The Abbey Resort, which when they said, "The starting line is right out front" they weren't kidding. The starting line was in the parking lot. I could have rolled out of bed at 7:15 for the 7:30 race start. But I didn't think that would be wise.

We arrived at our destination in complete darkness as it's the Midwest and it gets dark at 5:00 PM right now. So when we pulled up I saw absolutely nothing and thought, "Well it's going to be very nice to see what the landscape looks like when we start."

I wasn't let down.
Very beautiful. There were a lot of rolling hills back there too. Hmmm....lovely. I hope I don't have to do..any..of..them.

Here I am with my number 1 fan waiting for the race to start. It was about 39 degrees out when we started. I was smart and remembered that too many layers to start can mean a disaster later. I stuck with capris and a long sleeved tech shirt. The jacket was removed before starting the race. I stayed warm with butt kicks and knee highs. :)

This is the Start/Finish line. There was a cap of 2,000 people placed on this race. That was not needed. About 350 people did this race. Mostly ladies and few guys out there.

I remember posting about this before but the race coordinators sent out an email two weeks before the race saying, "Watch out for those hills in the first three miles. They are a doozey!" Well, too late now. I can't train for serious hills two weeks before the race. And also, how bad can those hills be.

The answer?

Bad. REAL bad. REALLY REALLY bad. The first three miles were pure misery. At some point they had to stop right? No. They didn't. You see, once you get to the top of that hill, there's another. And then another and another. They never ended. There was a lot of walking up hills and then speeding to the bottom of them. I do have to say though, for as rough as this was going to be, I was having a great time. I really was.

There was finally some relief:
There was flat pavement with views of farms (OHH pretty) for .75 miles. That was it. Then it was back to the hills.

RIIIIGHT around here they were handing out Gu packets. Of course, I had some on me but you never turn down free Gu. But I should have. I grabbed it from the Girl Scout's hand (They were helping pass out waters, it was amazingly cute) and put half of it in my mouth before I realized it was Strawberry Banana. Almost lost my stomach over at mile 8. Let's get real, Chocolate is the only one that's good because it tastes like pudding and not artificial jelly flavor.

WHOOP! Mile 10 and I'm still feeling good. Only a 5k left. :)

Hey there Mile 12. Good to see you at the top of this here hill. MotherF*#*%&.

Luckily for me and my knees, the rest of the way was completely down hill and finally flat. There were nice people walking on the streets cheering me on and even some people on a boat and a beach! I miss small towns.

The FINISH LINE!!! Right back where we started from! There were only about 50 spectators there but they cheered like there were 300 of them! One thing I truly enjoyed about it being such a small race was that I got my name called out! "Runner 6093 is finishing! Kristen hails from Chicago, IL!" YAY Kristen!!!

A VERY satisfied runner! I finished strong at 2:37! I am truly pampered on my flat Chicago stomping grounds. That being said, I would've CRUSHED my goal of 2:30 had that course been flat.

No medals at this race, but I received a very pretty necklace that I can wear whenever I want. Because no one wants to sit with the girl that wears medals all day.

I am smiling. My body felt pretty good but my stomach was not happy. They provided a protein filled snack pack after the race with a mini bagel, peanut butter, boiled egg, apples and string cheese. I got through half the bagel and the egg before I called it quits. I didn't feel great until back in the hotel room I finally yelled for the trash can and let all the bad out. :)

The things I put myself through.

The rest of the day was great too. It was so beautiful out. We went to the other side of the lake and arrived at this restaurant:

I got pancakes and french fries and my beau got Swedish pancakes and mozzarella sticks. It was a savory/sweet kind of day.

I'm wearing my "medal" in this picture. Very petite and pretty. And a very satisfied couple.

It was a great trip and I'm so luck to always have my #1 Fan with me. Cheering me on endlessly.

We have a run that we're doing together this weekend. We're walking the Monster Dash 5k together. We'll BOTH get medals and zip up hoodies. ( I actually run for swag more than anything else)

Tips From A Professional Travel Runner

2011-10-21T10:47:00.004-05:00

What that means is, after tomorrow, I will have traveled to two different states to do races. Indiana and Wisconsin. (Illinois is where I live, 3 states down!)

MIDWEST REPRESENT!!!

Last year, I ran the half marathon in Indianapolis. It was fun and a bit hilly. But it was FREEZING in the morning and SUNNY as all hell by the time I finished. We shall have the same weather conditions for tomorrows race as well. (I know this because I'm an 80 year old man who watches Local on the 8's for entertainment)

I know this also because I'm a professional traveling runner and NOW know to ALWAYS BE PREPARED.

But I'm always prepared for what MY needs are. So please make your own list of needs that you might need.

1. "Magic Gloves" and Hand warmers. Magic gloves are amazing and always sold at your local Walgreen's. They look like they will only fit 5 year old but could fit on Magic Johnson's hands. This is assuming that Magic Johnson has abnormally large hands. My feet and hands WILL be cold before the race. To keep them from freezing up, stick hand warmers in gloves and shoes and they will be toasty before the race!

2. Keep the layers to a minimum! I learned TOO many times last winter that you do not need to have TOO many layers on when it's 40 degrees out. I have outsweated many a layer and then have frozen due to the amount of sweat on the layers. This happened because of two reasons; 1: I had on too many layers and 2: I sweat like a manbearpig. SERIOUS sweat. I call it like it is because I'm a serious athlete.

3. Have fun but remember it's a race. This year I sustained an injury so I trained to "complete the race." I'm hoping that I can come in at or under 2:30, however, I did not train to compete, just to complete. I will always be proud of my accomplishments no matter what. I will also try to pick off a few stragglers and say "I WILL beat you."

4. Only carry the essentials on you. Will I eat 5 Gu's on this run? If I did I would need a bathroom IMMEDIATELY. Carry the two Gu's and a spare piece of gum in your pack. Carry your water bottle if that's what you normally carry. But for goodness sake DO NOT wear your CamelBak. It's a half marathon in Wisconsin in October, not an ultra in the Sahara in July.

and finally

5. Always accept the alcoholic beverage handed out at the end of the race. You earned it and you never turn down alcohol that was paid for with your race entry fee.

There you have it! The tips from a Professional Traveler Runner.

There will be a great post whence I return from my trip! It should be a good time. Ryan and I always enjoy a good car ride.

A book review? What blog is this?

2011-10-20T15:22:00.005-05:00

I have to throw this in here because it's a big part of my life. I've been reading A Game of Thrones.

*throws the mic down and exits left*

*Enters left*

Ok, I'm back. I apologize for the dramatic pause but it was needed. I forget when I decided to take on this challenge... Probably somewhere when I realized that HBO was bringing the world greatness by giving Peter Dinklage the role of a lifetime. (He honestly has the best character in the entire series)

Of course, I emailed my good friend Drew and asked if he was using his Game of Thrones series by either reading it or using it as a door stop. He said neither, but here are some digital copies that you can store on your computer and read on your Kindle-ly. Oh snap!

These books are LOOONNNGGG. They are an investment. I have just finished Book Two: A Clash of Kings: A Song of Ice and Fire. It was a long plot of "How we gonna win dis war?" Well judging by the title (its called A GAME of THRONES!) and its a series of six books, I have a sneaking suspicion that we will not find out who wins until George R.R. Martin writes it out in the sixth book.

Here are some things I'm enjoying:

He has NO FEAR of killing off main characters!

Watch out for Queen Regent Cersei. That bitch is crazy.

There's quite a bit of sexiness in it.

SPOILER: Dragon's are real and they suckle on lady teats. OMG What just happened?!?

I've decided to continue on this path of the Game of Thrones because I have to. I'm not wimping out and reading the wiki page because I think that's crap; invest in a fictional life provided that you have a real life to escape too.

There will be a break somewhere in reading these books so I can read The Walking Dead Compendium. I love my beau, but if he spoils the end of another episode I'll have to cut him. (But not really, I'll just throw a pillow at him) SIDENOTE: If you're not watching The Walking Dead, what is wrong with you? Netflix instant that sh** and get on AMC.com and educate yourself.

Jumping On My High Horse

2011-10-17T16:31:00.007-05:00

I don't think I've jumped on this horse for a while. But I just couldn't let this one slide.

I do not care at all what someone looks like. You could have buck teeth, be a size 30 and have the prettiest manicure this side of State Street, I do not care. I care about how you treat me and how you treat others. You will never find me judging someone based on how thin or fat they are.

This is my chance to school Kelly Osbourne.

This one....

Kelly has decided she is so thin now that every word that comes out of her mouth is gold. As a "fat" girl apparently no one gave two shits about what this girl had to say. Maybe that's a shame....and maybe it's not. I don't know her personally but from what I've read (I've trolled the web for about 10 years now, I've gotten pretty good at it) when she was a "fat" girl she had issues; drinking, drugs, daddy, take your pick.

Now that she is "skinny" Kelly, LET THE WORLD HEAR HER! She is just POURING out the wisdom and kindness of a "skinny" woman.

Recently, Miss Christina Aguilera performed at the Michael Jackson Tribute concert and donned a not-so-appealing outfit. It wasn't very flattering.

You can see it here.

No, it's not a great outfit, but that's what you pay a good stylist for. You pay the stylist so he/she can say, "This is an appropriate outfit for your body type."

Kelly decided it was time to whip out the big guns and take Christina out. According to Kelly, Christina, "called [her] fat for years." I don't need to go back into the internet archives to prove or disprove this, but Christina has fed from the bottom of the bowl as well, I'm sure.

Kelly goes on to say, "I was never that fat. Trust me, I'm a 2/4. [Christina] (whom is referred to as 'that') is not a 2/4."

I feel like the pot is calling the kettle black.

This is old Kelly.

As most politicians and celebrities alike have now discovered, the internet records EVERYTHING. Kelly Osbourne should remember that. She should remember where she started and how many issues she had to face to get to the tower she sits in today.

This is not about the fact that I like Christina or disklike Kelly. This is about the attitude that skinny always equals better.

Straight teeth does not mean you are better. Whiter t-shirts do not mean you are better.

Help your fellow man, don't bring them down. I will now respectfully get off of my high horse and I hope Kelly follows suit.

Pumpkins in the Park 5K 2011

2011-10-15T19:42:00.009-05:00

It was a BEAUTIFUL day in the park and a fantastic day for a run. 60's and sunny with a bit of a breeze coming off the lake, you couldn't have asked for a more amazing setting. Pumpkins in the Park is presented by Fleet Feet (They always put on the BEST races) and for once I didn't have to drag myself or the beau out of bed at 5:30 in the morning. The race was scheduled for 4 in the afternoon. "Perfect" my beau stated.

My friend (and bridesmaid) Liz asked me to sign up for this race with her and there is nothing I love more than having fun with friends and running. It was a pleasure to find out that her friend Shelby was making a quickie trip to Chi-town and joined us...and then our other friend Michael joined into the fun as well! It was a party in the middle of the park!

Shelby, Michael, Liz and myself

We're so chipper and excited!

Chicago's beautiful Lincoln Park

CHILDREN BEING CUTE!

I would be lying if I didn't say that about 37% of the reason I signed up for this race was to see the cute kids in their costumes for the kids race. These parents are pretty smart. "You want me to spend HOW MUCH on a costume that my kid will only fit into once even though this is the most adorable I have ever seen them?" So you put them in that costume as many times as it calls for; races, school Halloween, grocery store trips, library visit. ALL of the children were adorable. I wanted to but I just couldn't walk up to parents and say, "Can I take a picture of your kid...because they are so cute." *GRIN* What you can see in this picture is SuperGirl making a strong start but what you don't see is Snow White sneaking up and STEALING this 50 yard dash. I knew Snow White was a tough lady.

Me and my beau

What's missing RIGHT about here is the atypical finish line photo that my man always snaps as I cross. But instead he stood up and claimed that "it didn't take the picture" while I yell towards him (and parents and their children) is 'TAKE THE F*$&ING PICTURE!" But it's all good and no children were harmed during this race.

I wasn't aiming for the skies but I did finish in 34:17. I have 8 miles to run tomorrow as my last long run. The biggest run of the year is coming up for me this Saturday in Lake Geneva. ZOOMA race in Great Lakes. It's going to be a good time and I'm praying for good weather.

But for now, I'm going to leave you with this...

Live and Unplugged

2011-10-13T13:07:00.004-05:00

Every three months there's an article in Runner's World where they say, "Want to have a relaxing run? Completely unplug. Leave the HR monitor, GPS and ipod at home and be one with nature."

But we all know the running beasts in us can't be without them. "It tells me how fast I go."

I try to take those articles to heart. I don't have to have my Nike+ with me every time. I can run without music because I've had to. To try and INTENTIONALLY leave your gear at home is difficult. You WANT your run tracked and you NEED to know your pace. I can't LIVE without Nikki Minaj. (We can all live without Nikki Minaj but it is my guilty pleasure.)

This morning I went out for my 6:00 am 5 mile run that has become somewhat of a ritual for the last 3 weeks. It's nice to get it out of the way. I knew it was going to rain during my run so I made sure I had my old running shoes to use so as not to ruin my newer running shoes.

A quarter of a mile into my run I look at my Nike+ watch and find that it isn't tracking my run. "WHAT the &*$%? Stupid watch...track!" Well I take a look down and realize that I didn't transfer my tracker from my newer shoes to the ones currently on my feet...that are running. Dang. Well it's too late to go back and get it now. I have to push forward.

I had THE best run I've had in a while. I felt totally spry and awesome and I ran those 5 miles faster than any of the other runs. I focus so much on my watch at times that it slows me down. How far have I gone so far? Should I walk here? I have to stop my watch to grab a drink from the fountain. HOW WILL PEOPLE KNOW HOW FAR I'VE RUN TODAY!?!

I'm thinking of leaving my watch at home for my half marathon in one week. If I were a betting woman, I'd say it's probably gonna be on my wrist. I don't trust myself. But who knows. I had such a good time last week running and taking pictures. This morning was another perfect example of why sometimes we do just need to "unplug" and enjoy the ride.

I did still have my ipod and jammed out to "Sexy and I know it." I'm not perfect.

Someone Threw Down

2011-10-11T14:05:00.006-05:00

Someone threw down the gauntlet. It was my brother. We're pretty impressive kids when it comes to weight loss. I've lost almost 180 lbs and he has lost I think at LEAST 100 lbs. His name is Ryan.

I have two Ryan's that are near and dear to my heart. One's my beau and one's my bro..

The one on the left is my bro, the one on the right is my beau. Two of the best Ryan's I have EVER known.

I've been running longer but once Ryan got a hold of it he became unstoppable. This is also the same person that is currently enrolled in Ferris State University's Academy to become a police officer. COULD ANYONE BE PROUDER!?!

The other day on Facebook he said, "Can team Parise do a marathon next summer?" RIGHT in front of the world that is facebook. I can't say "No" on facebook. I'd look like a whimp. The game plan was to do a marathon THIS summer, 2011. A May injury threw me off very quickly. Now, we're in the prime of marathon season and I'm sad I'm not out there. It looks amazing! And hard!

I know to even start this I need to lose 20 more lbs or else I fear I won't compete the way I want to compete. I don't want to cross the finish line on stubs that were my feet. I know I will be in the most pain I've ever been in, but I also know the less weigh you have on your frame, the faster you can go.

Next year is my year. It has to be, but also, I'm ready. This summer I've been on fire and I know I can finish a marathon next year.

So what was my response?

"I mean yeah, I'm down for it if you are."

Not exactly the gung-ho shout that it should've been, but I'm ready.

The Parise team is ready for 2012.

10 mile run that was meant to be an 11 mile run...

2011-10-08T12:58:00.015-05:00

I tried my best. That's for sure. But random weekend in October where its 20 degrees above average sabotaged me. DAMN WEATHER! I did get a chance to practice picture taking for my race...which went well because I did a lot of walking. Here we go.

It's 9:30 and I'm feeling good, can't wait to hit the road...

The starting line...my apartment.

These are between Miles 2 and 3 and somewhere in there I realized it's hot. But I'm a strong strong lady and I can totally handle this!

Around Mile 3 and 4 there was a guy in front of me and we were basically running the same pace and there's really nothing more annoying than that. So we ended up running "together" for about a quarter of a mile. I stopped to take this picture and also just to stop running next to him.

This is Belmont Harbor...AKA the stinkiest part of the Lake Shore Path. It's so beautiful out here with all the boats, but for whatever reason it's ridiculously STANKY!

OK. So this is when it starts to get real. I would say this one of the most beautiful shots on here. It's also the same area (Mile 5) that I realize, holy crap, this got hard. I've also had 3 full water bottles but I don't have to pee. Oh boy.

YAY! I've reached my turn around point. Lincoln Park Zoo. It's an AMAZING zoo and it's absolutely free. I've done 5.75 miles knowing that I was going to do 10.5 miles today since 11 miles seemed too far. :)

OK so I've turned around and I'm about 2.5 miles away from my house. I also know that the longer I stay out in the sun, the greater chance I have of blacking out from dehydration. FUN TIMES!

"It's almost over. I promise. There's gatorade at the house. There's also a beau who just wants me to feel good. IT'S ALMOST OVER"

That's Lake Michigan. That's where I stopped running. 10 Miles. That's good enough in my book. It's also 79 degrees and it's almost noon. So that's a good giving up moment. Still I was SUPER proud of myself.

The beaten path to home...

"Uhh...tired.. knees, what the F&$* why do this? dumb. BOO. hot"

AHHHHh The finish line. I walked from the beaten path to my apartment because I just couldn't do it anymore. Still I did more than the average person does on a Saturday. I set the bar pretty high.

This was my last/longest run. Next weekend I'll be doing a 5K race. PUMPKINS IN THE PARK what, what?! And then I'll be doing 6.5 miles as my last long run for the race.

So what did I get out of this? Some VERY beautiful pictures of fall...that YOU, the reader got to join me on.

Love and Lobsters!

You made me love you...

2011-10-04T16:39:00.002-05:00

10 Miles down

2011-10-03T10:45:00.002-05:00

Ha cha cha...

I did 10 miles in 1:57 this Saturday. This is hopefully on par with me finishing in 2:30 for my half in 3 weeks. I even did a quick 3 mile run the next day. Wow, I impress myself.

A lot of people are gearing up for the Chicago marathon this Sunday. I'm excited because my friend Alicia and I watch from the northern most spot and then ditch all those runners for breakfast. :)

It's VERY fun and exciting. We may even see some running celebrities...I'm looking for you Ryan Hall. Ryan Hall dropped out last year due to an injury, so he owes me.

This wee we have

Mon: 5 Miles

Tues: Strength

Wed: 5 miles

Thurs: 3 Miles

Fri: Rest

Sat: 11 Miles

Sunday: Strength maybe, marathon, breakfast. :)

Also, in case you didn't notice I love me some Tigers....Detroit Tigers to be more specific.

Playoffs are in full swing and of course, we HAD to be paired off with the Yankees out the gate. Right now we're 1-1 and hopefully tonight that will change to 2-1. Eat 'em up Tigers, Eat 'em up!

Two posts in one day...who is this?

2011-09-29T15:56:00.004-05:00

We are only 3 weeks away from heading off to Lake Geneva for the big race of the year. My yearly half marathon. This will be numero 4. Hawt Dawg!

Lake Geneva is in Wisconsin...let me give you a taste...

Ahhh. Refreshing. It looks pretty green in that picture and when I go it'll be mid-fall which I think is going to be glorious. Luckily, LG is only 90 minutes away from Chicago, so it's going to be a nice short trip for me and my beau.

This morning's run was actually pretty awesome. The alarm went off at 5:45 this morning, popped out of bed (slid more like it) and ate some plain toast and pounded out 5 miles. I was pretty impressed with myself.

I live with an Anal Andy so I looked kind of geeky decked out in all my gear for a 5 mile run. I call him Anal Andy, but he loves me and never wants to see me in trouble/hurt, so he does it because he cares.

I had on my Nike+ watch, my RoadID, my belt (encased in the belt was a Gu, keys and cell phone), attached to the belt was my light and of course, my iPod. I looked on at all these other runners just going with the basics, ipod/watch and just enjoying the sunrise and I was 10 lbs heavier with my crap on.

Mind you I will never leave home without my RoadID as I feel it will be the best purchase ever if I'm ever unconscious.

Sidenote: I just got this awesome shirt for my future fall runs...starting on Saturday.

Long sleeve, cute color...I'll be the prettiest girl on the lake. :)

10 miles. Saturday! Here I come.

Blogging a blogger

2011-09-29T12:37:00.004-05:00

My friend, Miss Rachel, alerted me about this post in her gmail status. It's disturbingly real, as these thoughts constantly roam my thoughts.

The blog can be found here.

Why do I feel like it's starting to fall apart?

2011-09-26T09:56:00.004-05:00

Week 9 was pretty awesome. I got all the runs that I needed to get in. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday were all run days. And I felt awesome during all the runs....except for the 3 mile run. It's annoying, but I did it...so there.

Saturday was my long run. Which was 15K. I did it all by myself...only because I bargained with the beau over laundry. I feel like I was the winner in that situation.

I only have two more long runs before my race in four weeks. Training has been amazing so basically I'm going to do 10 miles this week, 11 miles next week, pull back and do 6.5 miles on three weeks, and then my race is in four weeks. I find that if I give myself an entire week off from a longer run, I am more energized.

Running was great...the rest, not so much. For whatever reason, there was a need to get into a fight over invitations. It was annoying. I got calls saying the invites were pretty dark, but they were very pretty. Great...is the information right? Awesome. I don't care about the color. Black is black, plum is plum, as long as they didn't come out lime green or bright orange, I don't give a shit. Then there was some jazz about the return address being on the reply envelopes. Simple miscommunication, nothing a few labels can't clear up.

In conjunction with trying to become a wife and an amazing runner, I'm also a performer with an improv group. It's been so fun. It really has. But now I'm starting to wonder if people aren't being honest with themselves about how much work they want to put into this. I will never question anyone's work ethic, but I am honest about my own and I felt like being completely honest was met with some backlash. Either you want to put the effort in or you don't. If you lie or Overestimate the amount of time you want to put in, what good is that doing? Or maybe I'm the odd man out and need to step down. But the frustration is not worth it.

Lots of thinking to do...I also have to get my beau into some fancy tuxes this weekend to see how he'll look when he's standing in the front of the church waiting for me. :)

Take me home

2011-09-21T09:16:00.008-05:00

So eventually, my beau and I will move back to MI as that's where we are from and that's where our families still are.

I did my 4 mile run on the lake yesterday during lunch....and these are some of the things I saw.

and this....

How am I just supposed to leave? Sigh.

Come to Jesus

2011-09-20T09:32:00.002-05:00

I need one of those meetings where we all gather and say, "Come to Jesus." But replace all the words and say "Stay away from crappy processed foods."

I've been doing so great lately. SUPER proud of myself. But I slipped into some old habits recently. My penchant for snacking hit me hard the other day. Stay away! I didn't run last night when I should have and I have excuses, I should have gotten out there anyway.

I'm going to hit the pavement this afternoon on lunch. :)

In other news....I bought this coat today online.

Yeah...I know. You're jealous. Ready for this...it retails for $250, but I got it for $81.00 including the shipping. BOOM!

I'm just glad I actually have purchased a jacket that is not sports related or from Old Navy. Go me.

Run it out....

2011-09-17T18:45:00.006-05:00

This week was pretty good. I got a lot of mileage in.

A little over 21 miles after today's 9 mile run. I did something fun for it. I actually ran a race in the middle of my long run. I figured this might be the best way to not make it FEEL like 9 miles. My knees say it was still 9 miles. :)

I did the Chicago Lung Run. This was actually the first race I EVER did. Recently, they made it a 5K AND 10K. Two years ago when this was my first race it was a 5K and I did it in about 40 minutes. It was a long race and my knees were on fire.

So today I ended up running to the race for 1.75 miles, ran the 10K and then finished by running the last mile home. I had about 20 minutes to kill between getting to the race and when the race started...I feel like I cheated a little bit but at the same time...I still ran 9 miles. Alright, I'm just going to keep it at 9 miles.

It was a VERY small 10K group. There was a total of 287 people running the 10K and I came in 261st place....Runner's World is right, you will NEVER finish last no matter how much you think you will be the slowest runner out there.

It wasn't the BEST race. Only because I am VERY reliant on water stations, as I feel most runners are. There was only 1 water station between miles 1-4 and it was at mile 1.01. SO basically, no water until mile 4.3. Let's work on this ya'll.

Also, my weather.com fancy pants weather center advised me that it was only 53 degrees...so I walked out the door wearing this:

But what my fancy pants weather center does not account for is the sun beaming warmly on my beautiful body. I took about ten steps out the door, turned around and threw on a t-shirt.

Once I got to the race I saw a lot of sad faces with too much clothing on and I muttered "fools" under my breath. See....I'm a professional runner who gets too hot, sweaty and clammy and knows when to throw on a t-shirt.

In other big news, I bought a lamp at Target for $13.91....ONLY to come home and find it its for a 15watt light bulb. And we all know that no NORMAL human being just has 15watt light bulbs around. So I'll have to wait until later in the week to light my lamp.

Happy humping. Tee-hee.

EDITED: Once I published the post, I noticed by beau's beautiful leg in the picture. Back off ladies, he's all mine.

Eat 'em up Tigers, Eat 'em up!

2011-09-15T09:02:00.000-05:00

We interrupt this broadcast...

2011-09-12T14:23:00.004-05:00

I am WAY behind on updating this. My new kicks and I have been so in love I haven't been able to tear myself away when I got them.

It feels like week 20 but we're going on week 8.

LOTS of running last week. My pace is still at 11:30 most runs, which i think is pretty good. Momma's gotta lotta baggage in the hips so it slows me down a little bit. But I'm still feeling fine!

Saturday was my 8 mile long run. I do not like the fact that it takes you 2 miles to finally feel good. It's annoying, let's get the "Feelin' good" ball rolling a little bit faster shall we? Thank you. Than miles 3-7 feel great. It's that LAST mile where you feel like you want to punch someone. I don't want to quit, but I'm mad that I'm tired and I want to hit something.

My beau can quote that I screamed, "BAHHHh This is STUPID!" "This" refers to running. I go through this every year, running is such a challenge, but I love that pain and I love the accomplishments AND I love that everyone says to me, "I wish I could do that." They can, (well most can) they just don't have the mental agility to handle the bitch that is running. ;)

This week we're right on par so far:

Monday: 4.5 miles

Tuesday: 3 miles

Wednesday: 4.5 miles

Thursday: Strongs workout

Friday: Rest

Saturday: 10K Lung Run race + 3 miles (9 miles total)

My wedding dress came in as well! So that got me giddy and reminded me that the long miles are a way to help whittle my waist before the big day. But even if that didn't help, that's why Spanx were created. :)

It's new shoe day...

2011-09-03T14:31:00.006-05:00

Like the first day of school where all of you folders are new, you're crayons, colored pencils and markers are unused and all aligned...so beautiful. You're ready for the new school year...you feel prepared.

That's how I feel when I get to buy new running shoes.

You're old ones are worn to the bone. The tred is gone. They are covered in dirt. You love them because you remember every mile that you ran in them. But the shoes remember every mile too. It breaks my heart a little when you need to move on.

I went to Fleet Feet today to get some new kicks. I don't feel like a novice runner anymore. Which is so great when you enter a new shoe store. I don't feel nervous about dropping $80-$130 on shoes. Now I'm experienced. I know I need a wide shoe with plenty of support and something that molds to my foot. I need something stiff but nothing that will make me feel plotty; something that will roll off the road with ease.

Trying on different shoes becomes easier with time. I tried on 5 shoes in less than 10 minutes because the second you slip a pair on you know if they are right for you or not. You can tell right away when you know you can't have a good relationship with those shoes. Once you find them you know. And that just comes with experience.

I picked my shoes today and I've picked the same shoes the last three times in a row. They feel like home and they never let me down. Brooks Adrenaline GTS 11.

AND THEY'RE PRETTY!!!!

Happy running!

Drama-Free Wedding?

2011-08-31T15:27:00.003-05:00

We're getting down to the wire on our wedding (6 months away)

NOT actually the wire...but we're gonna get into some pretty heady stuff here soon.

So what do you do about your family and friends who have treated you like an adult since you became one now start treating you like a child when it comes to planning your wedding.

This girl has the right idea:

http://offbeatbride.com/2011/08/the-5-rules-of-a-drama-free-wedding-planning

Seven miles...easy peasy...where's my pie?

2011-08-30T08:51:00.003-05:00

Last week was great! Sort of.

I wasn't able to run for the whole week due to a small injury but I made up for it on Sunday with my 7 mile long run! It was awesome. Such a beautiful day running along the Belmont Harbor. I couldn't have asked for more.

Last week was week 5! Only 7 weeks to go to the big race in Lake Geneva!

Monday: 3.5 miles in the am!

Tues: Strength (Gettin' my strongs on!)

Wed: Easy 3 mile run

Thurs: Rest

Fri: 4 mile run

Sat: Step class

Sun: 6.2 long run

It's Labor Day weekend that's coming up and that means its the beginning of the end....of summer. The days are already getting shorter and it makes me sad. I still haven't lost the 15 lbs I gained from last winter. However, I have a wedding coming up and I don't have the time to gain more weight. Plus, my dress is already on its way. EEK! Gotta keep movin!

Oh man! You guys....

2011-08-25T08:25:00.003-05:00

My gym just got awesome.

Never in my life did I think I would say that about Bally's. But it just happened.

The Bally's at (undisclosed location**) was under construction for a long time. My beau and I went there on a whim once because the closest location to our offices is a dungeon. Literally it in the basement of a building and you have to go down TWO levels to get to the locker rooms. So you can imagine trying to find the energy to go to a light-less, dingy, stanky place in the WINTER let alone the summer time.

Bally's at (undisclosed location) was absolutely vacant when the beau and I first went. And I LOVED it. Because hardly anyone was there, all of the machines were open AND clean. Yesterday, we decided to pop in, one, because I knew that the construction was over and two, all the other locations are JUST far enough from my house to be 'inconvenient'.

I walk in and what do I find....a GLORIOUS gym at (undisclosed location), sparkling and WAITING for me to use it. Behind those fake construction walls was a whole lower floor of weights, a track, a spacious uncluttered stretching area, a GYNORMOUS pool with 6 lanes, a whirlpool that doesn't look like a bathtub and 3 racquetball courts. And best of all, it's all clean. CLEAN I tell you! I have no fear of getting MRSA at this Bally's. (That does not mean that I won't wash the f*** out of my hands before and after I'm done...and never touch your eyes!)

There are things I need to get to be very happy at this gym: swimming bottoms and a racket with racquetballs! Beau and I are going to be the happiest gym goers at the Bally's at (undisclosed location)

**I will never release the information regarding the location of this Bally's as it's all MINE!

Getting there is half the fun; come share it with me!

2011-08-22T17:49:00.003-05:00

Week 4 is over and it's becoming a rush!

We've had some set-backs but we seem to be moving right along getting in what absolutely needs to get done!

Last week we accomplished alot! I was home for my cousin's wedding so I got to do my long run with my brother. 6 whole miles with the Parise kids! And we got drunk the night before, so we made it a challenge!

Not only were we both a little dehydrated but it was also hot. We managed to both get through it, there were good times and bad where we both had to encourage each other to keep moving but we still had a good time. Very crampy for the rest of the weekend though.

That night and the next day were filled with wedding food, cake, Cracker Barrel and of course, car ride snacks. You cannot have a car ride with out candy and thats just the rule. I didn't make it up, but I follow it.

I sustained a minor but painful injury, but hopefully it'll clear up quickly. Here's what's on par for this week!

Monday: Rest/a nice walk with the beau

Tuesday: Strength

Wed: 4 mile run

Thursday: Cross training

Friday 4 Mile run

Sat: 40 min X train OR 3 mile run

Sunday: 7 miles!

Honk if you see us on the path! Or if you're horny. I feel like that's always good. I'll see you in the funny pages!

Father and Daughter....

2011-08-16T08:59:00.004-05:00

I'm getting married in March...and one thing that has remained very important to me with every single vendor are the moments that need to be caught with my father and I. For the pictures, I made it very clear that I want the moment at the back of the church with just me and my dad is caught, the same with the videographer.

It's that moment that I'll get to remember forever. He's lucky that he gets to remember the first time he held me and knew that he could never love any other girl the way he loves me. (I may be talking out of my ass, but I was prettiest baby on the block...and grew up adorably with my pretty curly hair.)

Enough! Stop asking about how cute I was....

All of this had led to, "What song should we dance to?" My first gut reaction was "My Girl" by the Temptations. This was squashed SO quickly it was ridiculous! It's been taken! By my mom and dad. So that's out. I'll keep fighting for it, but I'm probably going to lose.

My dad suggested a few. One being Whitney Houston's version of "I Will Always Love You." Now here's where I school you....that song was originally written and performed by Dolly Parton, Whitney just made it famous. Dollywood forever!

I got an email from my mom yesterday saying they were looking for songs and found one that made them tear up...and I teared up as well:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ab4VRWX8y1A

If I was better at blogging, you would see the video here, but I'm a newbie. It's "I Loved Her First" by Heartland. It's a little bit country but so am I. I live for seeing green everywhere...and get excited for the fall so I can eat as many corn on the cob as my stomach can handle.

My suggestion was "Daughter" by Loudon Wainwright. This was a song he wrote for his daughter Martha Wainwright, sister of Rufus Wainwright! FULL CIRCLE!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVam-fshUgw

No matter what we pick, it's going to be a precious moment that I'll have forever. There are going to be a lot of things from that day that i'll be sure to save a mental picture of forever.

Let me leave you with this....the perfect song for everyone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltRwmgYEUr8

Wow..did I just finish Week 3?

2011-08-15T10:40:00.006-05:00

I think I just finished week three! It's hard to keep track with the work day being so busy!

I was VERY active this past weekend, and here's what actually happened!

Monday was a 3.5 mile run. Bravo! Tuesday I don't remember...tee-hee. Wednesday my bro came into town so there was some rest action going on with a side of taco night! Thursday was the Elvis is Alive 5K! We had so much fun! It was the two Ryan's, 'maid/friend Alicia and myself! Ryan ran like a 24 something 5K..his fastest ever! Holy crap! After that we had beer and danced to Elvis and had chocolate covered bananas. Yum! Friday we went to the White Sox/Kansas City Royals game.

I schooled everyone by letting them know that Kansas City Royals are from Missouri...not Kansas.

This is where it gets sexy with all the exercise. Saturday was my long run for 5 miles. Technically it was a "5k race pace" day, but I skip those. Sunday, I decided to do 4 miles, did some strength training and then later went for an hour long bike ride! I am tired. LOL

We march on...to week 4!

I'm off to a great start! My brother and I ran 3 miles this morning. Done and done!

Tuesday: Either speedwork or strength training (doing laundry) (probably speedwork)

Wednesday: 3 mi + Strength training. (Cleaning apt)

Thursday: Strength training (Improv show)

Friday: 3 mi run at 5:00 am....doing this because we're leaving at Noon to go to MI.

Saturday: 6 mi run

Sunday: Rest

I weighed in this morning and I'm 5 lbs away from my goal that's supposed to be completed by 08/20...so I don't know that I can do that safely...which safety is the key! But we'll just see. :)

Week 2 Overview!

2011-08-08T15:26:00.002-05:00

Well...week two was better than week one...

I can feel my strongs coming in. (That's what I call muscles for strength training) I finally started to consistantly do strength training twice a week and it has already been super beneficial. I get less tired on my runs!

My 5 mile long run was almost considered a breeze. I say almost because it was humid. Yucky.

For week three I'm already ahead of the game because I did Monday's run in the AM. YAY!

Monday: 3.5 mi

Tues: Strength

Wed: Off

Thurs 5k race

Fri: 3 mi

Sat: 3 mi

Sun: 5 miles

Thursday is ELVIS IS ALIVE 5K! It's going to be super fun. This is the second year that my bro is coming out for it! He's transversing all the way from MI! My 'maids are also participating! So it's going to be a peanut butter and banana filled day....watch out for us on the lake!

It's Wednesday?

2011-08-03T08:28:00.006-05:00

This week is going by quickly only because I had a day off yesterday.

First off, Paul McCartney was amazing! He brought down Wrigley Field! The man is 69 years old and didn't act a day over 20. SO GOOD! It became very surreal that you were seeing a former Beatle play when he started "All My Lovin'" I was nearly in tears. Rock n' Roll to the acoustic sounds it was all amazing. And the best part was I got to see it with the love of my life! I'll never get another experience like that!

Now, for my day off. It was nice. I got to sleep in which was perfect because we got home at about 12:15 the night before. After that we went to the eye dr. We're clearing up very well. The ulcer is almost gone and I got a steroid drop to minimize the scarring. This is way scary. But now I need to learn how to take preventative steps to care for my eyes.

After that we were off to Kuma's Corner for the best fucking burger I've EVER had. I got the Lair of the Minotaur. Which looks like this: I know, right?!? That's 10 oz. all beef patty, with prosciutto, brie and a whiskey poached pear on top of a pretzel bun. There was some stuck in my teeth later; worth the 45 minute trip.

After that I deserved myself a nap. Of course, later I woke up and rode the bicycle we have in our living room for a work out...it was 94 degrees outside and between the concert and moving outside today I was done with being hot AND sticky. So I just went with "sweaty" on the bike.

AS FOR TRAINING! We're off to a mini rough start this week, but we shall be back on track today:

Wed: 3 mi run

Thur: Speedwork

Fri: 2 mi + Strength

Sat: 3 mi run

Sun: 5 mi run

We'll see you later in the week for updates!!!

Week 1 review

2011-08-01T09:23:00.003-05:00

To sum it up: It was a bust.

Somewhere around Thursday I scratched my eye and it got infected. To be precise, I have an ulcer on my cornea. If not treated promptly, I could go blind. HOWEVER, I caught it very early because I hate pain and go to the eye Dr. immediately for any sort of irritation. So between Thursday and today, I've been to the eye Dr. three times, had my eye dilated 2 times and have put 72 drops in my eye. I've also had two headaches and an unlimited amount of sensitivity to light. Ahh these are the days.

So this put a hold on the training, but I knew I had to get in at least one long run.

On Sunday I did my long run of 4 miles....it was 84 degrees and felt like 91 degrees....

Can you guess what happened next?

Muscle cramps due to a depletion of sodium and water. Ha-cha-cha.

It was still a good weekend as I watched the first half of Gone with the Wind and whatever else I wanted to watch in the cave that is my apartment.

TONIGHT is Paul McCartney! GET BACK JOJO!

I'll give an overview of my training this week tomorrow!

Ciao!

Sleepy...

2011-07-27T11:44:00.002-05:00

It's Wednesday! So today I have an easy 3 miles to complete. Monday I had a Step class which was super hard because she made it hard, and I made it harder by putting two steps on instead of one. After that I did a full body strength training workout after that class, thanks to my beau. Tough but awesome!

Tuesday was rest so nothing to report. Other than the first night of teeth bleaching. My dentist was right that it's idiot proof, but I think he forgot to tell me that I would look like a rabid dog the next morning. One of the active ingredient is Peroxide, or foamy stuff. And of course, I had a hard time sleeping because I wanted to wake up and see the results. Not bad for day one, but after 16-19 days, they are going to be beautiful!

Thursday is speedwork, Friday is strength training and Saturday/Sunday two runs!

I'll be back!

It's also about looks...

2011-07-25T08:07:00.002-05:00

Hey Ya'll!

We're starting week 1 of Half marathon training! I'll be running a total of 14 miles this week along with two strength training sessions.

Not only that, but I'll be starting my teeth whitening treatment tomorrow! So you will be seeing some before and after pics on the blog in the next two and a half weeks.

I have also set my first goal of losing 9 lbs before my cousins wedding which is on Aug 20th!

4 weeks to lose 9 lbs and have shiny chompers! I'm in!

Hey It's July! Where ya at?

2011-07-22T10:03:00.003-05:00

Hello!

It's been almost 7 months since I last posted. Holy crap! Lots has happened but here's a quick run down:

*Got engaged!
*Set a date
*Bought a size 10 (10! yay) wedding dress (I have to fit into it)
*Still have same ol' job
*Working on becoming a group fitness instructor
*Gained 20 lbs!

Alright we are up to speed! Winter blew and now I'm trying to fight back by dropping those pounds. I sustained an injury back in May so the goings been tough, BUT I will prevail.

How do I do that? Well I signed up for a half marathon! In Lake Geneva, Wisconsin!

This forces me to do consistent work outs, eat better and get some more sleep (a maybe on that last one)

This is where I'll be staying and where the race starts

So today I promise as WEEK 0 begins, that I will post and train what the Hal Higdon training says I do!

Monday the great training begins! And My Goal for this race is to come in again under 2:30.

Every week I'll be updating you on my current training schedule and also focusing more on weight training with my beau, because I want some stacked arms for my wedding. Contrary to popular demand via Kate Middleton, sleeveless is still the way to go. (She looked fantastic though)

Very excited!

Where did the bad person touch you?....

2011-01-27T15:55:00.002-06:00

Down in the dumps lately. I figure I have SAD, Seasonal Affectiveness Disorder. Seeing as how my fiance and I are now psychiatrists I'm going to start working on therapy.

I drew my feelings today...

I don't care if you're embarassed!

2011-01-26T12:43:00.002-06:00

That's what i'm sure i'll have to tell my daughter when she starts to get made fun of for her name.

You see, her name is Katniss. And I'm naming her after Katniss Everdeen; the literary version of what I want my daughter to be.

I'm in love with The Hunger Games series, as everyone should be. This is the best combination of The Lord of the Flies and 1984. Post-apocolyptic drama and romance; loves it.

Point being, Katniss has every quality that I would want to bestow to my daughter; strength, pride, love, smarts, humor, kindness and humility.

Obivously, she'll have to read the book to truely understand where her name came from. Right now I don't live in a post-apocolyptic world and everything invented does things for me. I have everything I will ever need. If i had to SURVIVE in the world...like REALLY SURVIVE...I would die once my coffee maker had been blown to bits. Whereas this type of world is the only thing that Katniss knows. God willing, MY Katniss will never have to know this world, but she might.

Sigh. I don't care if she'll be made fun of. Apple, Scarlett and Pilot Inspektor are going to be just fine..and Katniss will be too.

Love yourself

2011-01-24T15:41:00.000-06:00

When I'm feeling like there's no love coming to me
And I have no love to give

When I'm feeling seperated from the world
and cut off from myself

When I'm feeling annoyed by every little thing
because I'm not getting what I want

I'll remember that there is an infinite amount of love available to me
and I'll see it in you.

I'll remember that I am complete within myself so I'll never have to look to you to complete me.

And most of all, I'll remember that everything I really need I already have and whatever I don't have will come to me when I'm ready to recieve it.

Christmas time is near....

2010-12-23T13:09:00.002-06:00

"I never thought it was such a bad little tree. It's not bad at all, really. Maybe it just needs a little love." Linus Van Pelt said that. He's quite a character. ;)

Christmas holds a special place in my heart. We get together with our relatively small family and say grace, eat dinner, play cards, laugh and love. It's so much fun because there's nothing more in this world I love than my family.

This year's Christmas is going to be different. This years Christmas is going to be my Charlie Brown Christmas.

My dad had a minor infection that turned into something bigger and is now in the hospital. All I want for Christmas is for him to come home.

I would trade any gift, all of them for that matter, for him to just be home.

All of this reminds me that nothing in life is guarenteed. Not every Christmas is going to be perfect the way you imagine them or want them to be. This isn't going to be the "perfect" Christmas, but it will be the best Christmas.

We make it the best Christmas because of the people we love and share it with. We understand that the life given to us is a gift from God and that we have to treasure it everyday. This is also why Chinese restaurants are open on Christmas as well. :)

We'll celebrate Jesus' birthday the way we always do, we pray and give thanks for the blessings we've received.

Merry Christmas everyone.

You'll just know....

2010-12-13T11:32:00.002-06:00

This was the advice I received from every single person that I asked "How do I know if he's the one?"

You'll just know.

I thought that was bullshit. :) That's not an answer. That's a way to push off a heavy question.

But I understand it now. It's someting that's indescribable. It's something that stirs in the deepest part of your soul and brings unexplainable tears to your eyes. It's the understanding that you want to dedicate your life to someone and that they want to do the same for you.

The idea that someone will be your lover, friend, confidant and partner forever.

While in Target this weekend i said the phrase, "I'm only doing this once." And "this" is referring to marriage. I mean it. I don't care about other people and their decisions or the divorce rates of this country. I care about the person I am and the person standing in front of me asking, "Are you sure about me?"

To the person who asked that question, I have never been more sure about anything in my life. Quitting my job, starting a business, jumping out of an airplane...those things are scary.

You, sir, are a sure thing in my heart. You are the person I choose...and you "choo, choo, choose me too." And nothing could make me happier.

And to quote Harry Burns: "when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible."

And that's true too...

C'mon Body...MOVE

2010-11-23T10:19:00.000-06:00

So I've been trying something new by waking up at 5:00 am to go on my runs.

It's been working great. It's easier to get up and go in the dark than it is to ride home on a train in the dark and try to keep on moving. I just can't do it. Damn the midwest.

So this morning, my alarm went off at 5:00 am and my body just wasn't having any of that mess.

It wasn't until i got to work that I realized that I have worked out the last 6 days in a row. Most people workout 3-5 days a week. Apparently, I made it to 6 and was ready to keep going.

I am more than happy to take this day off for rest. I know I want to run tomorrow, Thursday, and Saturday. I want to be ready to run with my brother so we can have a good time.

I guess I need to listen to my body more and pay attention as to when I work out.

And take more naps. :)

I ain't afraid of no ghosts...

2010-11-21T18:46:00.002-06:00

Literally and figuratively.

#1 I don't believe in ghosts/spirits and #2 I'm not afraid of MY ghosts.

I've been off the blog-o-sphere for a while because I was going through some emotional issues. I'm not sure what was happening but I knew two things; I just needed to leave it alone and let it happen and I also knew that I was going to get over it. Both happened.

There was a slight weight gain but once I found my inner strength again I was able to slay those demons and take those pounds off. I'm still stuck in the 170's but I feel better about it.

Anyway, let's get back to those ghosts.

Mine always come out on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Lots of gathering, love and food. All of them bring comfort but only one brings on the excess.

I was mostly excited for all the richness of the food. I loved everything, especially the sweet potatoes and the green bean cassarole. MMmmmm. I have learned from my ways. But during my emotional issues weeks, I started to fear Thanksgiving. I had the feeling that I KNEW I was going to over indulge. I was going to be stuffed to the max and would just lose complete control.

I found my cool once I realized that I can indulge in these rich foods without OVER indulging. I can have the turkey, potatos, green bean casserole and the pie. I have control over what I put on my plate and how much goes on it.

I made one special request from our local pie shop. Achatz pie to be exact. It's a layer of cheesecake, layer of pumpkin pie and a preline topping. Holy shit. I know. It's gonna be awesome. And I'm going to eat it and not feel bad.

I have decided to make some rules for myself:

- No rolls. Bread is everywhere. I eat it everyday. Fuck it.
- Burn at least 500 cals on Thanksgiving Day.
- Run 6-7 miles on Saturday with my brother.
- Enjoy my time.

And to those people trying to find the best fat-free, sugar-free, fun-free pies...come on over and I'm more than happy to share my delicious pie with you. Stop trying to fill these pies with baby food and treat yourself. If you can't trust yourself to indulge once, than you never will. It's one day and you have control. I promise it'll be ok.

Love and Lobsters
KP

Short and Sweet

2010-11-10T14:20:00.001-06:00

Kill be before this happens:

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/top-stocks/blog.aspx?post=56cf016e-3318-4e95-a914-4d738d6908a4

Happy f-ing Birthday!

2010-11-03T15:47:00.003-05:00

Halloween is over. There's still candy at my house. I'm still working on getting over my sugar-mania...so why...why do you torture me with birthday cake?

I get it, you're another year older...now get back to work.

Celebrate your birthday the way that I celebrate mine; home, drunk, maybe get some.

Leave the cake and the party favors for the 5 year olds and get that report done Johnson!

Is this the ranting of a hormonal 24 year old who's got 25 lbs to lose or a bitter old maid who take joy in the small things?

It feels like a meager goal..

2010-11-02T12:25:00.000-05:00

But its not.

I'm trying to stick under my calories.

Halloween hit and it hit hard this year. I didn't log all my food but I'll list what I had for dinner last night....

15-20 "mini" candies
1 slice of deep dish pizza
1 mini cupcake
1 bowl of nacho chips
1 bowl of crunchy cheetos

Oh when I write it down it stings. I'm not ashamed per se, but as a fitness professional now (WHOOO!) I feel like I need to lead by example. But on that same thought, don't we all have those nights where every food item we touch ends up going in our mouths...and don't we take those mistakes and learn from them?

I'm sure my body is still buzzing and craving the simple sugars that i've been mindlessly throwing in my mouth, but I have to stay STRONG! They provide me no nurtrional values, they don't make me feel better and they make me feel like when I was a kid...when i would get excited to wake up for the next day because lunch was going to be GREAT! Ugh...it's hard to think about those things.

I'm not one for wasting...but throw out that candy. Throw it away. It's garbage. Don't take it to the office, you're just feeding garbage to someone else. It's HFCS at it's worst.

I've made a great deal with my boyfriend....someone commented on a status that said "60 days left in 2010! Let's kick butt" and i thought that's the spirit. People stay so focused on Halloween, than three weeks later it's Thanksgiving followed by Christmas. FOOD IS EVERYWHERE! THinking that there's 60 days left in this year inspires me.

That gives me 60 days to feel better, run faster, try harder, stretch and strengthen my body out.

We set a goal of losing 10 lbs in 60 days. It can be done in a healthy way and we're not going to worry about our future meals. Let's live the next 60 days to the fullest and remember to eat for how I want to FEEL right now.

Think about what you want to accomplish in the next 60 days and do it!

Kim MacAfee is Wrong...and I'll Tell You Why

2010-07-14T15:30:00.001-05:00

If you're familiar with Bye Bye Birdie than you know who Kim MacAfee is.

If you're not familiar with Bye Bye Birdie....God has blessed you.

No offense to those who are huge fans; I like the song The Telephone Hour. I usually sing that song to annoy my boyfriend.

Anywho...Kim is 14 going on 15 and she's all excited to be a "woman" and sings "How Lovely To Be A Woman"

You can find the lyrics here: http://www.allmusicals.com/lyrics/byebyebirdie/howlovelytobeawoman.htm

It's nice at times sure. I mean I like looking pretty, having curves and being able to turn a head or two.

But Kim forgets to talk about bloating, cramping, irritability and all the other messes that come with being a woman. We're catty and cranky somedays. We lash out unexepectedly. And we cry uncontroably when we ask our significant others to take out the trash and their response is "in a little while."

Sidenote/true story: My parents stayed with us for the week. Most ladies say that they would like someone like their father. The truth is in that statement for me. My dad is a prince and he treats my mother and their home like a queen/palace. After they left the garbage needed to be taken out. I asked my S.O., his response was "later". My response to him through crocodile tears was, "my dad would've done it right now!" I know, i know...I'm a little emotional when my family leaves and I shouldn't have played the "dad card." But that garbage was gone 10 seconds later.

BACK TO THE MAIN STORY

Kim MacAfee needs to be sat down and explained to that life isn't all mascara and heels. However, seeing as how this musical came out in 1960...today Kim is 65 and has gone through menopause and knows this now.

But for those little ladies out there who are 14 going on 15 and are crying over their spilt milk...it's just the beginning. There are days where your pants won't zip up and you'll curl into a ball on the floor. We've all been there. But then you get up the next day and somehow that damn zipper goes up....WHY DIDN"T THEY DO THAT YESTERDAY!?

Calm down bleeding heart....

Ok got my cool back. Now I'm going to just chill out with my fitness mag and my hersey's chocolate kisses for the rest of the day because Kim...it's just one of those days.

Hypertension Made Me Cry

2010-06-14T09:29:00.000-05:00

I'm currently working towards becoming a certified personal trainer. Yesterday, I was working on Chapter 4: Nutrition.

Towards the end of the chapter it was going into special nutrition considerations. Obesity was listed, childhood obesity and then hypertension.

Chilhood obesity was a sad enough section as it was but then I read this:

~Hypertension is defined as having a BP of 140/90 and/or being on antihypertensive medication.

I was on antihypertensive medication.....when I was 14 years old.

I was on medication to manage my HYPERTENSION at the tender age of 14.

I started to cry. I was upset and I still am upset.

I remember vaguely being on medication for a little while. It was about for a year and a half and once I was taken off it, I was glad. Only because I didn't have to remember to take a pill once a day.

Why didn't someone explain to me what was going on? I don't remember a lot about the situation other than I was told we needed to bring my BP down. But NO ONE explained to me why it had gotten so high. Or that I needed to take better care of myself.

But even worse, why wasn't someone there to help me take better care of myself? Who's job was it to explain that eating healthy and exercising was the way to take care of myself?

I wasn't stupid by any means. I was a smart kid. Someone could've sat me down and explained caloric intake and expenditure and I would've understood it.

I'm not mad that I was a morbidly obese child. I was happy kid and a happy teenager. I'm mad that I was so unhealthy. I'm upset that no one thought I was smart enough to understand the "science" behind being a healthy individual.

When someone we love dies, we get mad and we want someone to blame. We want someone to hurt as bad as we do. That's how I feel right now. I want someone to blame. I want someone to sit down and understand how difficult it's been to reverse what happened to me as a kid. How long it has taken me to get a resting HR of 50 BPM. How good it feels to no longer have the feeling of a boa constrictor sitting on my chest. All of those things happened to me when I was a young girl; not as a middle aged man. I think back to those times and it scares me.

Today, I am responsible for what goes into my mouth and the work that I put into myself. I know that going forward I can help future generations understand what being a healthy person is all about. It doesn't matter to me who it was that should've helped me because every adult figure in my life should've been the one to throw on the brakes and say, "this kid needs help."

It may take a while for me to feel better about this. This is something I'm going to have to work through. But I forgive them. I do. All I can do at this point is pass on my education to my children and continue to work on a better me.

38

2010-06-11T12:54:00.000-05:00

That's how many pounds away I am from my official goal.

38. Not 40, or 50, or 170.

38.

I'm not sure what to do with myself. I keep working so hard because I want it to be over and I'm excited because I've worked so hard for this.

These last 38 pounds are like those last 3 credits that you have to earn before you get your degree. But of course, it's not a fun class like Acting 1, its Geology. And you have to be able to identify rocks and know the layers of the earth and shit you don't care about. Still, you HAVE to care about it because you need these 3 credits to pass and not have to go to into the summer session which everyone KNOWS is the worst idea ever.

(I graduated with my bachelor's in 3 years because I went year round. Proud, yes; crazy, even more. ) Suck it "5-year" degrees!

I'm getting to that moment where you're mom starts crying in the stands saying, "I'm so proud of you," and "I knew you could do it," and "I love you."

My mom says all those things to me right now but I'm looking forward to hearing those things on "graduation" day. I will have officially earned the "You deserve this moment" moment.

I'm not going to focus on 38 much longer because 38 is still a pretty substantial number and I do better with "little goals." Right now I'm 4 lbs away from my set goal of 185. From there I'm not sure where to go. Set a smaller goal of 170? Or just go for the gold of 150? These decisions will be made in time.

Just get excited. My class song will be "So Small" by Carrie Underwood or "Highway to Hell" by ACDC.

AGAIN WITH THE DECISIONS! Oy!

Weight Loss: A History Lesson

2010-06-11T11:01:00.001-05:00

So before I was here I has various forms of logging food/weight. I came here from another website that my Dr. advised me about. It was fine but it wasn't anything special. I definitely prefer MFP.

I would like to get everything into one spot. So I wrote down 2/3 of the weight loss logs from the other website. There's a time gap from 2007-2009. Apparently I didn't like the website enough to start using it right away.

Starting Weight:

Nov 2006 - 365 lbs

First logged weight:

09/10/07 - 310 lbs
11/22/07 - 304 lbs
12/10/07 - 302 lbs

BIG TIME GAP WITHOUT LOGGING ANYTHING

04/08/09 - 263 lbs
05/04/09 - 259 lbs
06/10/09 - 248 lbs (started running)
06/22/09 - 244 lbs
07/14/09 - 240 lbs
08/05/09 - 235 lbs
08/28/09 - 229 lbs
09/21/09 - 225 lbs
10/13/09 - 221 lbs
11/02/09 - 216 lbs
12/22/09 - 211 lbs
01/06/10 - 213 lbs
01/13/10 - 211 lbs
02/22/10 - 209 lbs
03/30/10 - 203 lbs

STARTED USING MFP

04/22/10 - 202 lbs
04/30/10 - 199 lbs
05/21/10 - 193 lbs

Thoughts:

Winter sucks. It always has. It always will.
Slow and steady wins the race OR The Tortise Beats The Hare everytime.
MFP has helped tremendously
Running is a fantastic way to burn off those lbs.
Summary:

I've never been this happy before. Running and being active is a club I now belong to. I'm making strides everyday and doing amazing things! Soon I'll be completeing my first Half-Marathon! I never thought I would say that. A year ago I would've told you that you were crazy had you said, "You're going to be a runner."

I love how I feel and I love how I look. I can't wait to see what else I can accomplish. :)

Indianapolis Here I Come!

2010-06-11T11:00:00.001-05:00

I just signed up for my very FIRST Half Marathon!

I live in Chicago which have probably about 5 half-marathons but the only problem is they take place during the hottest months of the year.

I found the Indianapolis half-marathon thats in mid-October and it was only $40! SIGN ME UP!

I'm so excited and encouraged for this event! I was even excited to mark that I wanted a Medium sized shirt! Right now I wear a large which sometimes can be too big. October is 5 months away...so plenty of time to whiddle down to a medium and ready for the best race ever.

EEEK!

Can you feel it?

2010-04-19T10:26:00.003-05:00

Can you? It's the winds of change getting ready to knock your ass over...

I'm close. SO CLOSE to my goal of reaching my goal weight of 199. I'm 2 lbs away. TWO!

Right now at 201 this is the lowest I have ever weighed. As I continue my journey the numbers that I post are the lowest i've weighed since middle school.

I can feel that 199 just WAITING to pop up on my scale. It's ready too, the scale. It WANTS to show me that number.

This is the week I taper before my big 10 mile race this Saturday. 10 miles will be the longest distance I have ever run!

LOTS of things coming to fruition this week. 2 lbs can be a mountain or a mole hill. I'm choosing to make it a mole hill. I've made this a mountain all winter and I'm ready to take my small step over the mole hill and continue my journey to a healthy long life!

I know that the 10 miles will also seem like a mountain (which at times might be true) but once I finish it I'll feel amazing.

Goals:
Complete the 10 mile race
Be under 200 pounds

Celebrate my 24th birthday on April 24th, my completion of a 10 mile race and being under 200 lbs.

And I'm celebrating with steak...holla.

Back in the Saddle Again!

2010-03-29T10:01:00.003-05:00

Great song and it's true. I am back in the saddle.

I've been busy busy busy lately.

What with running training and some new training at work, I've been swamped. EEK!

So let's give you a run down.

RUNNING:

I'm currently starting Week 7 (SEVEN?!) of my running training! This past week has been amazing. Last weekend I ran the Shamrock Shuffle 8K in 1:01:02! I was hoping to come in under an hour but whatevs! I finished it and I ran the WHOLE THING! Also, I conquered the hill at the end of the race. BTW...hills at the end of the race...forget you Shamrock Shuffle.

I finally put my money where my feet are and spent a decent amount on shoes. My first pair of Nike shoes to be exact! Holla back! Normally I go to Marshall's or the equivalent and spend $35 on New Balance. Mind you this is Marshall's where I'd spend $35 on $50 shoes. Well those were running down pretty fast. At the expo there was a Nike both where they analyze your running style. Basically, I'm a heal striker and a neutral runner. That's pretty good news. PLUS trying on there shoes felt like running on marsh mellows. So I put down some money at runningwearhouse.com and got a pair. THEY ARE WONDERFUL!

This past Saturday I was able to run 6 miles non-stop and at the end my knees were a little jelly like...but I felt like I could've gone another mile! This is encouraging.

Week 7 tells me to slow down and back off a little bit. Last week I ran about 18 miles total and this week I need to run 10. Which is good because it's Easter weekend and I'm going home so I wont have all the time in the world to run around.

WORK:
Is going well. It's still work. But I have some new duties and they finally gave into my request of working the 8:00 - 4:30 shift. I was told it was a 'privilege' to work those hours. Whatev. BUT this is great because i get out of here a half hour early, which means i get to the gym faster and fight off people less! Ya hoo...I'll take it.

POTENTIAL WORK:

Thinking about becoming a personal trainer. Just a thought.

WEIGHT GOAL:

I know I last posted that I wanted to be under 200 by 03/14 well that came and went. BUT I am right now at 203 and I'm hoping by the end of the week I'll kill the number that is 200 and finally see that 199 that I've been waiting 4 years for! It's going to be awesome. SO CLOSE! And so proud of myself. :)

4 days from now I'll be in Armada. I'm super excited!

"Food Makes Me Happy" or "F*** Chicken"

2010-03-19T14:02:00.001-05:00

Oh my gosh! This week has turned upside down.

Something I've learned over the last 5 days: Chicken is always going to taste like chicken. Forget all the receipes and who-ha. It is always going to be chicken. And chicken is going to taste the same on Monday as it does on Thursday. It doesn't change.

I also haven't had any chocolate this week. Pretty proud of that. That's freaking HARD!

This entry is titled "Food Makes Me Happy" because I've realized that that's what food does for me.

Let me really get to what I mean. A lot of people rely on food for emotional purposes. I used to be one of them. When I was 14 and my first boyfriend broke up with me I was under the impression that I had to sulk and eat a gallon of ice cream.

I have control over food now and that's the way it'll be for the rest of my life. However, I had too much control over it this week. To the point where I didn't want to eat my meals because they weren't what I really wanted. I didn't want things like greasy stir-fry and ice cream. But a healthy version of pasta or a veggie pizza. Instead, I ate my chicken. MY STUPID CHICKEN! And I was depressed by the end of this week. I didn't give in to my small needs at all.

I know it's important to give into indulgences or else you will go crazy...like me. :) I wish I had listened to myself more this week and had a piece of chocolate or to make a pasta bake with zucchini.

Food is for living, surviving, and can make you happy. But don't let it make you miserable.

The Olympics are over...

2010-03-09T12:43:00.001-06:00

but this girl still has to train!

We are on the verge of training week #4. Week 2 was a breeze and week 3 was a wash.

Week three included things like anniversaries, laptops being delivered and Chocolate chip mint ice cream sandwiches. So shit hit the fan last week. However, I did get about 10 miles in which was great. I did a 4 mile run downtown which was fantastic. I felt REALLY good.

This week is another slow week. It's like the break before we start hitting the big numbers. So the most I will run this week is 2 miles. And then next sunday is my long run (and the Shamrock Shuffle) of 5 miles! Get excited!

The first goal is April 24th...and i'll be turning 24 that day (GOLDEN BIRTHDAY) but running 10 miles...not 24 :) So i'm hoping to drop some lbs this week...focus good and hard on that!

Fine Dining

2010-03-04T13:23:00.003-06:00

Ryan and I went to a resturant called Gaja's Cafe last night for our anniversary dinner. Everything was phenominal and just so romantic.

It's in Old Town and it's fondu. Ryan and I haven't done fondue before but we were excited.

It is very romantic with dim lighting and candles everywhere.

We started off with the cheese fondue...oh my gosh. It was amazing. They give you bread and fruits for dipping. Ryan was WAY into the cheese. I was trying to save myself for the other courses but couldn't hold back.

Than the main meal we both got beef tenderloin and as sides Ryan got chicken and I got sea scallops. You cook them at your table and you have about 10 dipping sauces to go for...all of them great. There's also a big side of vegatables to dig into. I was way into the mushrooms and potatos.

Last but not least was the dessert. Chocolate fondue with marshmellows, pound cake and all sorts of fruit. Just phenominal.

Needless to say we had to roll ourselves out of there. Not a friendly diet place but thats totally ok with me.

My only concerns were 1) It's very dark in there to the point where you cant really read the menu's and checking to see if your chicken is done is nearly impossible. and 2) that you walk out of there smelling like you've been dipped in oil for days.

But it was such a great time and we truly enjoyed ourselves. Ryan also got to find out what the big suprise was. We're doing a "staycation" this weekend and I got us a room at the W hotel on lake shore drive. SUPER EXCITED!

4 years!

2010-03-03T11:05:00.003-06:00

Today is March 3rd. Which means that I've been with Ryan for 4 years now.

4 YEARS!

Ryan and I are so happy. Talk of getting engaged keeps coming up more frequently and that makes both of us happy.

I've learned a lot from being with him and sharing space, feelings and time with another human being.

There are days when I can't be close enough to him and other days that I can't get farther away from him. But I think that's every relationship. Most days I love cuddling with him and being in his arms right before I fall asleep.

I love our inside jokes. And Lord knows that he regrets saying, "Lovin' you" as a response to anything. It's at that point where I break out into song attempting to hit the high notes.

Dancing in the kitchen and trying to figure out which song should be our first dance as husband and wife. They've ranged from "She" by Elivs Costello to "We didn't Start the Fire" by Billy Joel. Who knows what we'll actually pick.

Our fights are heated and can take 5 minutes to 2 hours. But they're always resolved and no one goes to sleep angry.

I think its amazing that you can love someone so much in such a short amount of time. 4 years is a long time to someone in their 20's but imagine living until you're 70. 4 years is not long. And it's not long enough.

I hope God continues to bless my life with Ryan. I hope that Ryan is included in my "Life Plan." Of course, that's what I want and i'm pretty sure God wants it too.

I'm excited to see what 5 years brings us. I think it's going to be a great experience.

Never Again

2010-03-02T15:17:00.002-06:00

I like to eat. Who doesn't? But there is some foods that I don't think are "worth" eating. As in, "It's not worth the heartburn or the bloated feeling."

My unworthy food is Chinese food.

It's not worth the calories and the greasy feeling I have afterword. And I haven't had it for over a year. That is until last night.

I had a craving for some general tso's chicken, which is my dish of choice. So I call up my BF and I say you need to get home as soon as possible because I have a craving and you don't want to miss it. Ryan asks for chinese food everyonce in a while but he always gets turned down. So he KNEW I meant business.

We sat and enjoyed our food while watching The Simpsons and all was good in the world.

Not twenty minutes later I feel the beginning of a head ache. Totally cool. I'll take some asprin. Ten minutes later I don't even want to move because of the throbbing in my head. I realized I now have a MSG headache.

I've let go of Jillian Michael's #1 rule: If it doesn't have a mother or it didn't grow from the ground, don't eat it.

I just couldn't believe that a food flavoring made me feel like I had just woken up from a weekend binge. Needless to say...chinese food...we are done forever. There's no second chances in this game. Sorry guy.

A Sweet Parting

2010-02-27T17:08:00.002-06:00

Dear Sweets,

It's Kristen. I know that you're doing well. You always do well. Sitting there in your cupboard wrapped in cellophane being preserved by toxic scientific creations. I just want to let you know that I've moved on.

Trust me. We've had some good times. Some good dips into large glasses of milk. Handfuls of joy in my mouth...you know i'm talking to you skittles.

The thing is, I've moved on. I found a new thing. He makes me feel good about myself and brings me pleasures that are unimaginable. His name is Gym and I've been seeing him for 4 years now. I KNOW! Sweets, we've been together for almost 24 years but I've moved on. I have other interests. Gym makes me feel like a woman. He knows my most intimate secrets. Things that you just cover up with your sugary goodness.

You'll always have a place in my heart, Sweets. Of course, we'll get together from time to time. (and of course in proper amounts) Gym doesn't like it when I see you but still I know that if I denied myself the pleasure of seeing you every once in a while than life wouldn't be worth living. We just need some self control. We need a healthier relationship.

Just know that I care for you. Tell Oreo I'll miss my ritual of twisting off his top and getting the goods out of the middle. Wait....don't. I don't want him to know I've moved on. Just get the message out there Sweets. There's a new man in town, Gym. There's a new woman too. Her name is Kristen.

Sincerely,

Kristen

There are things I just don't do....

2010-02-24T11:01:00.002-06:00

"Facebook? I'm not going to join that. It's just a fad."

That's right. I said that. I said that in 2004 to Matt M. when I was at Wayne State University. I was convinced that this was another MySpace that I never went on and never wanted to be on. A week later I signed up and have been logged on since. That was six years ago.

I admit that I don't keep up with the times. It took me forever to get an ipod and I'll be purchasing my first laptop (ever!) since I bought my first (and only) desktop 6 years ago.

I don't do Skype, MySpace, Buzz and Twitter is my nemesis. Ryan is into all of this. Now, understand I'm not stupid. I could do all of these things if I wanted to but Ryan's cell phone is CONSTANTLY going off with feeds from Twitter and it drives me up a wall. Why would I want them sent directly to me? I have no desire to know what any indivdual is doing at that moment. If you have an opinion I'll probably get to it on Facebook or read about it online. But I will do it on my time....not Twitters.

This leads me to the new thing that I didn't think I was super into. Podcasts. I'm not a fan of talk radio which essentially what podcasts are. It's people sitting around on mics and talking about shit that happened. My thinking....whatever. I would rather listen and have a conversation with a physical person.

Recently, Kevin Smith got into a fight with Southwestern Airlines. We all heard about it. Ryan is the biggest Kevin Smith fan there is. I'm sure there are people who would challenge me to that but it's true so get over it. Ryan told me that I HAD to listen to SModcast and listen to KS's dibacle with the airline. SModcast, specifically is Kevin Smith and Scott Mosier. They are BFF's and work on movies together. They also get high while recording their podcasts. I listened to the SW airline podcast and said, "OK this is interesting, but he lost my interest for a while." VOTE: Not into podcasts.

Ryan says, "Please, just listen to one more. There's one on Harry Potter. It's hilarious." Normally, I don't give Ryan second chances. Mostly, I don't give his "new technology" second chances. So I listened to the SModcast "Forgeticus" and laughed outloud plenty of times. I have listened to at least 3 full length SModcasts so far and decided a few things.

#1. It's very funny
#2. I will only listen to it during lunch. Buses are for reading time only.
#3. I've given in to this "podcast" idea.

BUT let me just say this....SModcast is all that I will listen to. Don't try and get me on This American Life or Michael Moores Hoosey Daisy Time. (I don't know if that's real but I'm getting to my point.) I want to listen to pointless funny shit...not real life. I don't want to sit and listen to someone talking about the war or our economy.

I want to hear someone talking about Paul Bunyan's potential sexual partners while they're getting high. That's funny.

Week in Review #1

2010-02-22T11:10:00.002-06:00

So I'm going to just review my 1st week of training.

It's still February and cold but the new training schedule made me hit the gym. I had 3 days of running, 2 cross training and one day for strength training.

The runs went well they were only 2 miles a piece. Cross training is always a breeze as I like my elliptical and also my Hi/Lo Funk class on Wednesdays. Takes me out of my gym slump.

My one day of strength training was rough. I don't normally do strength training (I know, slap on the wrist) But in my Hi/Lo class I'm definitely adding more and then I do my Upper Body Sculpt and Lower Body burn from my Last Chance Work Out DVD...where again Jillian kicks my ass. My calves are rock solid but if someone asked me to carry around 30 lbs in my hands I'd be screwed. I have zero upper body strength but i'm hoping to change that.

This week is going to be a little tougher but nothing I can't handle. Everyweek it'll be 3 days of running, 2 cross training and one day for strength. My runs this week are 3mi, 2mi and 3mi. YAY!

Valentime's Day is coming!

2010-02-12T12:19:00.002-06:00

I say Valentime. I don't know why. I think it's cute. And when Ryan says it it's even more cute.

We're playing it low key this year because the big day is our Anniversary.

Sunday we'll be going to see the classic Casablanca, which neither of us have seen before but I hear its the most romantic movie ever made. You know how nazi's make the knees go weak.

But this poem is for my love!

THE INDIAN SERENADE - Percy Shelley.

I arise from dreams of thee
In the first sweet sleep of night,
When the winds are breathing low,
And the stars are shining bright
I arise from dreams of thee,
And a spirit in my feet
Hath led me--who knows how?
To thy chamber window, Sweet!

The wandering airs they faint
On the dark, the silent stream--
The champak odors fail
Like sweet thoughts in a dream;
The nightingale's complaint,
It dies upon her heart;
As I must on thine,
Oh, beloved as thou art!

O lift me from the grass!
die! I faint! I fail!
Let thy love in kisses rain
On my lips and eyelids pale.
My cheek is cold and white, alas!
My heart beats loud and fast;--
Oh! press it to thine own again,
Where it will break at last.

Happy Valentime's day!

Health Information

2010-02-11T11:03:00.002-06:00

It's pretty rare that I come across something that I haven't already read 500 times about health and weight loss. So when I do I have to show it to the world. THis is from an article going over the 11 myths of food.

Q: It’s safe to follow the 5-second rule for dropped food, right?

A: It's probably not even safe to follow a 1-second rule: The transfer of bacteria from a contaminated surface to food is almost instantaneous—or, at the very least, quicker than your reflexes. In one study, Clemson University food scientist Paul Dawson, Ph.D., and students contaminated several surfaces (ceramic tile, wood flooring, and carpet) with Salmonella. They then dropped pieces of bologna and slices of bread on the surfaces for as little as 5 seconds and as long as 60 seconds.

After just 5 seconds, both food types had already picked up as many as 1,800 bacteria (more bad bugs adhered to the moisture-rich bologna than the bread); after a full minute, it was up to 10 times that amount.

I'm a big fan of the 3 second rule but after this I am never doing it again. Holy crap. The thing is, i've never had food poisoning and I never plan to. But my toast landing on the ground is something that i'm willing to throw away now. Not to mention that most food that falls lands on something that your bare feet have been on. Eww. I know what my feet look like and smell like...i dont need that on my italian bread.

Who else is going to believe in you?

2010-02-10T15:44:00.003-06:00

The Biggest Loser was great last night. They went to the Olympics training center and it looked like a blast and a once in a lifetime experience.

Last week, John went home automatically and it really took a toll on the rest of the housemates. Sam really took it to heart. It got to the point where he felt like he didn't deserve to be in the house. John has a wife and kids and Sam felt that he had "nothing" and wish he could trade places with John. This is where Bob came in and reminded him that if he doesn't fight for himself that no one will. Sure, people are here to support you but YOU have to be the driving force for the things that you want. He got a good dose of that meeting the olympians and paralympians while at the training center.

Recently, I feel like I've given up on myself. I've really been pushing myself as hard as I can and I burned the candle at both ends. I was so ready to be under 200 but I forgot that if you push to hard without seeing results you end up stressed and disappointed. It's also February where you never see the sun.

I'm trying to find that happy middle. The one where I'm able to work out and be happy but not pushing so hard that I become miserable and can't lose the weight. I have to be a little easier on myself in this winter month or else i'll pull out my hair.

Next week i start my 15K/10mile training schedule. So I'm about to get my running groove back on. I'm all registered for the Shamrock Shuffle and Soldier Field 10 mile. Get excited Chicago.

Also, (back to BL) Last night one of the girls was staring at chocolate cake and Bob comes by to say, chew gum...that'll make you not want cake.

Right Bob.

Blurge

2010-02-08T16:12:00.002-06:00

So I'm so tired today. And it makes me upset. I'm not normally tired. I totally gave up on my work day ( I was still able to finish my work) but still...

We're so easily won over at work. We all bitch and moan about a certain office not being in the office today due to snow. And then we get an email saying that we did such a good job we get bagels, doughnuts AND jeans and all the sudden they aren't assholes anymore.

Ugh...I hate it when someone throws sugary goods at me and I forget why I'm mad.

Having fun is exhausting!

2010-02-01T10:03:00.002-06:00

Talk about birthday weekend!

Ryan's birthday was Friday night and our friend Dave who was staying with us this weekend, his birthday was Sunday.

Needless to say; i'm exhausted!

Friday was very fun! We all went out after work with the work people and had drinks and fun. Off to McDonald's to finally try the Big Mac Wrap which was basically a burger wrapped in a tortilla. Not the greatest invention but whatevs. We moved on over to Konak's to meet up with friends from past and present to celebrate the glory that is Ryan. He had fun and everyone else did too.

Saturday we met Dave downtown and gorged ourselves at the Cheesecake Factory downtown. It's always good eats but its very touristy. We split an appitizer and got our main dishes and then of COURSE we all got cheesecake.

Dave got the 30th Anniversary Chocolate Cake Cheesecake: Layers of Our Original Cheesecake, fudge cake and chocolate truffle cream.

Ryan got the Adam's Peanut Butter Fudge Ripple: Creamy Cheesecake Swirled with caramel, peanut butter, butterfingers and reese's peanut butter cups.

And I got Stefanie's Ultimate Red Velvet Cheesecake: Moist Layers of Red velvet cake and our original cheesecake covered with out special cheesecake factory cream cheese frosting.

AMAZING! We all passed around our choices and dug in. We could've move for the next three hours but it was well worth it.

That night we had our WSU theatre reunion which was fun and I got to see people I hadn't seen in 2 years and some people who I had just seen the night before at Ryan's party.

Sunday was rough waking up but then we headed out to La Grange to see Ryan's family. THey are ALWAYS fun to be around! We got pizza which was fantastic! And Dave got to meet RYan's family. It's always hard to describe them because of the hilarity that ensues when you're around them. Great people and great times were had by all.

Needless to say, this week was an absolute wash when it comes to eating right and exercising. But I had fun! And Monday morning I felt like crap. ;)

I'm looking forward to taking a break this weekend! I know I need it.

UPDATE: Loans

2010-01-27T15:23:00.002-06:00

My loan company got back to me today.

They're assholes.

Like every company, even mine, they send out auto-emails as well. Basically, they read your email, find a pre-written response that fits best, and then they email you back with said response.

Well all I got from them was how to go online and set up auto billing. Thanks, WILL from LOANS. I really appreacite the time you took out of your sorry ass day to send me an auto response from my complaint.

So like the fools that call me and email me everyday, I was the fool this time in thinking it may have mattered. Or that the LOAN company would've said something like "You're right. We're assholes. Our service is poor."

If I weren't so lazy i'd report them to the BBB. But they would probably would compare me to the lady that called the police because they didn't get her order right at McDonald's.

Sigh.

Sale rack please!

2010-01-27T15:17:00.004-06:00

So I only sign up for so many email lists and things like that. Well ever since I discovered that I can fit into almost any store now I've been signing up for even more lists.

Here's the thing: I still always will head straight back to the sale rack no matter what.

It's just something that's been instilled in me since birth! Holla Laurie Parise!

So here are my findings today at the Ann Taylor Loft:

and:

Total bill: $22.03
I saved $76 because fashion trends don't seem to understand that spring isn't for another 3 months. And I'm always cold. But I appreciate it because momma never pays full price. NEVER!

UPDATE: I didnt know these pictures would turn out so small. But thats the price you pay!

Blog #3 for 01/25/10

2010-01-25T13:29:00.002-06:00

I work (and have worked) as a customer service representative for the last 5 years of my life. I've dealt with the most insane and stupid people of my LIFE within these last 5 years and because of that, i have built up a thick skin and take it easy on other CSR's around the world.

I know that there are only so many people to take phone calls and answer emails. I do those things too. ANd I know only one person is going to hear from me.

SO basically, I tried to increase my payments on my loans today. The website was down this morning. So I gave it some time and tried again to get on there but it was still down. Need assistance? Call the toll free number. Well needless to say this sent me into a tail spin of ANGER! Not ONLY did the toll free number automated system tell me to go online to solve my issue but it also told me that i wasn't calling during business hours and called me a retard. YEAH! It called me a retard.

Automated phone system: "Please visit our website"

Me: "It's down!" *press 0*

Automated phone system: "I'm sorry, we can't take your call right now. Please try calling during business hours."

Me: "WTF?!? It's in the middle of the afternoon in the work week." *flustered gets email address. sends email*

As follows:

"I must say that it's very rare for me to be so frustrated with a company but you have set me over the limits today.

All I wanted to do was increase my auto-payments and NOT ONLY was the website down but I called the toll free number to try and increase it there but the automated system told me to GO ONLINE to fix it and then ADVISED me that no one was available to speak with me and that I should call during business hours. I called at 1:00 in the afternoon on a MONDAY! I understand that there are busy hours but I still expect to hear from a person.

Obviously, I do not have a choice whether to do business with you or not but I do EXPECT to be able to contact my LOAN COMPANY when I need information!"

I tried to give you more money! And this is the best you can do?

So far their response has been this:

We are currently experiencing high volume and look forward to serving you!
A LOAN's professional will respond to your inquiry upon receipt. If you need additional information or wish to explore LOAN’s many education planning and financing resources, please visit our Web site at www.loan's.com or call us toll-free at 1.888.555.5555. We’re here to help you reach your goals.
Sincerely,
LOANs

Ryan has responded the best so far though:

Dear Kristen,
We're very sorry about this. Please allow us to forgive your loans to make it up to you.
Love,
Loans

If only...

They say it's your birthday!

2010-01-25T12:26:00.004-06:00

So it's Ryan's birthday this week and what a doozy its going to be. Not even his birthday is going to be a doozy just the WHOLE week.

This week we have 2 shows, 2 birthday gatherings and 1 sort of college reunion.

SO needless to say it's going to be hectic and WAY AWESOME.

Ryan will be 27 on Friday and we are so excited. Normally, I would bake an awesome cake and we'd have friends over and all that junk. LAST year I totally suprised him by throwing him a suprise party and a bunch of his Detroit friends came out here to celebrate! It was great. This year, we're going to a bar. And I told him I didn't want to make a cake and have it sit around for a week. So i'm like, we'll go to the Cheesecake Factory and you can pick out whatever slice you want!

So I kind of feel like I'm phoning it in. However, we do have a lot of "celebratory" dates that all hang out at the beginning of the year.

* January 29th, Ryan's Birthday
* Feb 14th, Valentine's Day
* March 3rd, Anniversary
* April 2th, My birthday

I decided to focus on a different holiday this year to work my romantic/awesome magic. ANd I picked our anniversary. It's going to be pretty awesome. I can't decide when to tell Ryan about it but you'll hear about it eventually :)

As for this weekend, we're doing an afterwork thing with my work ppl, which Ryan always enjoys, dinner somewhere, and then off to Konak's for everyone else! Saturday I'm not sure what's going on aside from the semi-WSU reunion which is only ok. And then on Sunday we're heading out to La Grange to visit aunts uncles and cousins of Ryan's to celebrate his birthday. Which there will be plenty of appitisers, pizza and dessert to go around! (Which is why i'm not making a birthday cake)

EXCITING!

"It's a balmy 45 out this morning..."

2010-01-25T12:19:00.002-06:00

YES!

That's what I heard at 9:45 on Sunday morning on the radio. Less than 20 minutes later I had on my gear and started running down the road. It was wet outside and a little rainy which spattered my glasses...but I didn't care.

I was outside. I was running. In the middle of January, I was outside running and not freezing my tail off. The sun even came out TWICE. Apparently I missed the abundunt sunshine last Sunday while I was taking a nap! So i was not going to miss this.

I ran 3.1 miles in 38 minutes! Thats a 12:13 pace, which i understand is slow in real running world, but it's faster than i've run it before!

It'll probably be March when I can get outside again. Sadface

Game players

2010-01-13T09:22:00.002-06:00

I knew I didn't like the red team on the new season of the Biggest Loser. Week 2 and its already about "playing the game." Fuck you BL contestants. I'd focus more on the fact that you gained a pound this week for game play. Who the hell does that? It's damn lucky that you had immunity this week.

Just rememeber the Vicky's and Tracey's of the past. It will come back to bite you...and you'll probably still have a giant ass.

That's right. I said all of that.

Don't waste your spot on the BL with petty games. I need $250,000 just as much as the next person, but I'd rather be a size 6 and have my real age be 23 and not 57. Thanks red team.

Oh, Holidays!!!

2010-01-11T13:46:00.002-06:00

You get me everytime!

I did pretty well this holiday season...except for the part where I gained 8 pounds! But hey! 8 isn't 20....but it's also not zero.

SO needless to say that I will not be able to make my goal of being under 200 by 1/31/2010. At least, not safely. Which is always the way I like to play it!

So I'm pushing back the date to 03/14/2010. Thats a good 10 weeks away where I can safely achieve this goal.

I'm going to start training for the CARA Lakefront 10 mile run Feb 14th. This will also give me a chance to get back into running shape!

Basically, I"M BACK! And i'm ready to get rollin'!

It's over...

2010-01-07T10:26:00.002-06:00

4 books, 2,500 pages, and 45 days later, I have completed the Twilight Saga.

I didn't even know that I was meant to read this saga. It just sort of happened. I needed a book to read while traveling for Thanksgiving and my friend at work happened to own the first two in the series; Twilight and New Moon. I took a shot. I HATED Twilight. It was a terrible book. Stefenie Meyer's writing was terrible and she needs a thesaurus. Bella can only "scowl" so many times. So why did I keep reading.

Two words: Edward Cullen

She made this character so delicious that, yes, I had to keep going. New Moon was definitely better and I don't care what people say, Team Edward all the way. I like Jacob but he's like 15 and just as whiney as Bella is.

At this point I wanted to keep reading but didn't have the other two books. Well my Aunt Christine did and just joked and laughed how awful it all was and said that I had to finish it.

Eclipse was WORLDS better fromt he first two so that made me happy. But now onto the almost 800 page book that I had to lug around for almost a week.

*SPOILER ALERT*

First things first, this book could have EASILY been two seperate books and that's honestly what I would've prefered. Second, thanks for warning all young pre-teens that you can get pregnant with a fictional vampires baby the first time you have sex. Awesome. (Which i'm not dumb and I know you can get pregnant ANYTIME you have sex) Still.

It ended the way I didn't want it to. I didn't want Bella to become a vampire but I was very glad to see that she stopped "scowling" so much and wasn't as annoying anymore.

Verdict: Lusting for Edward, but my heart will always belong to Harry Potter.

And now, the end is near...

2009-12-31T13:59:00.002-06:00

2009 is almost over! Thank goodness! 2009 was a crappy crappy year for the world and i'm ready to start a brand new decade. I'm stealing this idea from my friend Alicia who went year by year through the decade and had great points! I probably won't have as many because I have a horrible memory! But here it goes!

In the year 2000:

*I was in 8th/9th grade
*My parents left me at my aunt's house to go to a concert and Y2K scared me
*I started scrapbooking
*My mom made me audition for the school musical and it was that moment that made me love theatre forever.

In the year 2001:

*I was a sophmore and it sucked
*I joined the Macomb Academy of Arts and Sciences
*I went through a very rough period where I was encouraged to go to counseling
*I got better :)
*I had a license and a car and I could parallel park anywhere (still can!)
*I was in my 2nd period history class when 9/11 occured

In the year 2002:

*Junior prom was a disaster, but damn, i looked good
*Worked at McDonald's
*Got into my one and only car accident (knock on wood)
*I fell in love with Harry Potter
*I knew I wanted to go to Columbia College Chicago

In the year 2003:

*Senior prom was great! And I still looked good!

In the year 2004:

*Finally graduated from high school
*Cried for days when I didnt get the scholarship to go to CCC
*Was the best summer of my life
*Got a cell phone that didn't weigh 1,000 pounds
*I finished scrapbooking
*Started at Wayne State University

In the year 2005:

*Realized the WSU theatre department was just like high school; cliq-like
*I begrudgingly joined facebook
*Met Nikki Fayne who helped me begin my journey of weight loss
*Went out for the Bachelor of Fine Arts auditions
*Met Ryan McGillen and thought he was a tool

In the year 2006:

*Started dating Ryan McGillen
*Didn't get into the Bachelor of Fine Arts Program; cried for days
*Fell in love with Ryan McGillen
*Got into my first Wayne State Play "A Christmas Carol"

In the year 2007:

*Performed in "Into the Woods"
*Graduated college in 3 years!
*Got extremly drunk at my "Farewell" party and cried and told everyone how much i would miss them.
*Moved to Chicago with Ryan in a 2 bedroom apt on the NWside
*Felt like a clam in my apartment

In the year 2008:

*Got hired at TRMS (still currently there)
*Met some of my closest friends
*Started my career as an improviser and started my own team
*Officially lost 100 pounds
*Saw the first black president get elected and felt hope
*Picked up a fear of flying
*Moved to the NE side of town! To a one bedroom! YAY
*Bought a bed with Ryan

In the year 2009:

*Left my improv group and joined a new one
*Got smart
*Turned my walking into running
*Ran my first 5K
*Ran my first 15K!
*Lost a total of 150 pounds
*Still cry everytime I visit home and have to leave
*Celebrated my parents 25th wedding anniversary
*Celebrated my grandparents 50th wedding anniversary
*Begrudgingly fell in love with Edward Cullen

Not too much going on in 10 years! See you in 2010!

Fantastical

2009-12-29T09:32:00.001-06:00

New favorite song:

Paparazzi, by Lady Gaga

Reason: She uses the word fantastical.

Where are you Christmas?

2009-12-29T09:19:00.001-06:00

Boy, that went fast!

It was such a great time though. I got to spend a ton of time with my family and friends. :)

The first Saturday I was there, my mom, Aunt Christine and Grandma went to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra to see the Pop Culture Series Christmas Extravaganza and it was amazing. Such a great show! There were these fantastic choirs, bell ringers and tap dancers. It was a fantastic evening.

I got to go shopping with my Aunt Linda and my two cousins which was fun but exhausting.

Christmas with both of my families was so much fun. I spent time with Ryan's family on Christmas Eve and let me tell you, Ryan did a great job. I think my best gift from him (aside from the movie Up because that's #1) was a Woody doll from Toy Story. No, he doesn't have the pull string but it doesn't even matter! He's perfect! I love the way he moves just like he does in the movie. So of course I did play with him all day on Christmas.

Christmas morning with my family was of course, a blast! I got exactly what I wanted. All my Jillian stuff and books by Augusten Buroughs and the grand daddy of all gifts...

A COLLAPSABLE DISH RACK!!!

You would've thought they were taking me to Paris the way I reacted. It is amazing!! i even put it in the sink at our house to test it out! EEEKK! And I used it last night at my apartment!

My mom and I went to go see Sherlock Holmes which was way fun. I love seeing movies with my mom.

But, sadly, it all came to an end. I had to come home to an empty apartment because Ryan isn't coming home until the 3rd. So I cried and cried. And i'm already homesick so I decided that I was going back for New Year's. And yes, my parents love me enough to come out at 12:30 in the morning to pick me up in Detroit. Serious love folks.

Warm wishes of love and happiness for everyone!

Blast Fat, Boost Metabolism

2009-12-15T09:32:00.002-06:00

So most of you know my appreciation for Jillian Michaels.
I was going to write a review on amazon about her Blast Fat, Boost Metabolism but felt that it would lost in the shuffle of the other 235 reviews that are already there. So i'll write it here where the two people who know me best can get a feel for the DVD if they want to use it sometime. ;)

This is one of the best workouts I have ever experienced. Every time I put the DVD in I never know if I'm going to make it through the who 50 minute workout. It can be that difficult. She's got loads going on in this workout; kickboxing, calisthenics, strength, cardio. You name it, it's in there.
The very first time I went through this workout I was left standing in a puddle of my own sweat trying to catch my breath like I had just sprinted at the end of the race. AND IT'S STILL THE SAME THING EVERY TIME! Ryan will come into the room and see me red in the face trying to finish out the jumping jacks (grrr!!!) and just so angry that I'm doing them but SO happy with myself that I finished them.
There is a lot of jumping that goes into this workout so a good set of trainers is suggested for them. You definitely need some stable shoes so you don't fall over.
She definitely encourages you to stick through the workout. "Don't phone it in," as she says. Also, "I don't want you wasting anytime in life, especially in your workouts!" She keeps you moving moving moving.
Great workout. Even better than my Turbo Jam DVD's. I thought Chelene was a tough lady, but she ain't got nothing on Jillian Michaels.

I really hope that people paid attention to my Christmas list. I'm hoping to get Jillian's book, Making the Cut for Christmas.

Which by the way I get to leave in 3 days! YEE-HAW!

"Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus!"

2009-12-10T12:55:00.002-06:00

While reading my weekly "Dear Prudie" column, a woman asked a question about what she should do about her 8 year old son who as asked her if there is a Santa Claus. He heard 'no' from his father but his mother, the woman, has always said 'yes'.
Prudie led her to a similar question that was posed by Virginia O'Hanlon in 1897 to the editor of New York's Sun. Here is the letter that Virginia wrote and Francis Pharcellus Chruch's response.

DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old.
Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.
Papa says, 'If you see it in THE SUN it's so.'
Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?

VIRGINIA O'HANLON.
115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET.

His response is everything and more than I hoped for:

VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except [what] they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

Happy Santa Hunting Everyone!

I know him....I KNOW HIM!!!

2009-12-08T12:27:00.000-06:00

Rudolph, Frosty, Santa, Buddy the Elf, Jack Skellington....

These are all of my favorite holiday time characters! I get so freakin' excited when these movies come on.

So I bring you....my top 5 Christmas movies!

(There are only five because I want to give explinations as to why they are my favorite and I don't have all day)

#5. The Santa Clause

Classic Tim Allen work. ;) I really don't know what that means but it gets my funny bone everytime! Santa falls off your roof and then you take over?! WHAT?! I wish this had happened to my dad! This is a well written movie with fantastic characters. And of course, you have one little boy begging adults to believe that there is in fact a Santa Claus. Tugs on my heart strings.

#4. Elf

"Buddy the elf, what's your favorite color?" "What's a Christmasgram? I want one!" I know what you're thinking, "#4? Is she crazy?!" This movie is fantastic but it's #4 people! Wonderful Will Ferrell performance taking this human raised by elves and sticking him in modern NYC. Antics were bound to ensue. Again, a great movie that shows that having Christmas spirit is not a bad thing! Its a fantastic and wonderful feeling. "The only way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear."

#3. The Nightmare before Christmas

Jack Skellington and the population of Halloweentown get my heart a pumpin' every Christmas AND Halloween. Tim Burton is a genius. (Except for Charlie and the CC Factory) The songs are the best part of this film. (The same goes for #2 and #1 on this list) But the idea of a town only knowing Halloween is what is so great. They get to experience something brand new in their own special way. I think the message here is keep traditions going and don't be afraid to add new ones!

#2 The Year Without A Santa Claus

My mom introduced me to this movie that came out in 1974. Santa is taking the year off and no one knows what to do. It takes place between the North Pole and Southtown, USA. People around the world see that Santa needs a holiday too and band together to make it happen. Great songs and of course my favorite characters are the Snow Miser and the Heat Miser. Their mother, Mother Nature, steps in to help Mrs. Claus get everything nice and ready for Santa's holiday. In the end, Santa realizes that the people miss him and he straps on his boots and heads to his sleigh so that way Christmas isn't cancelled. Watch it!

Drum roll....

#1 The Muppet Christmas Carol

The classic Dickens tale is taken on by Jim Hensen and his Muppets. Kermit, Gonzo, Fezziwig, they're all there taking you on a hilarious and well told tale! The songs are phenominal and of course, Kermits nephew, Robin, portrays an inspirational Tiny Tim. If you haven't seen it, it's an absolute must. It will help prevent you from becoming an old miser like Scrooge.

I agree with Slate...for once..

2009-12-03T12:59:00.000-06:00

About this time of the day (lunch) I start to look for articles that can fill my lunch hour without being bored. The only time i read Slate.com is for the Dear Prudence column. Usually its good but that's the only article on there I normally read. Until I found this:

http://www.slate.com/id/2234519/?GT1=38001

"Don't get DVD box sets as gifts"

Hallelujah! If I wanted to watch 16 hours of Dennis Leary being pissed and homophobic I would've already watched it on TV. I will say this...I do own all 8 seasons of Will and Grace and also a sprinkle of Friends and Roseanne line my shelves. But nothing compared to what others may have.

The reason why you shouldn't give them as gifts is because how do you know if a person is truly going to enjoy watching 10 people walk around on an island for 5 seasons! I do...but I like to do it in real time and enjoy the suspense. If I watched them all in a row, Sawyer would become less hot and Kate would become annoying and whiny as hell!

The best quote from this article is this:

"Boxed sets have transformed television from light entertainment into homework."

I LOVE Dexter. I really do. You don't want to get me started on the Finale of the second season and how AMAZING it was. However, every time my lovely man comes home and says, "We got another disc of Dexter from netflix," I can become grouchy. "I don't want to watch that tonight, " I say. "But the sooner we watch it, the sooner we can send it back and get the next disc," he replies. THAN WHATS THE POINT!? Why rush myself through something JUST to get to the finale?

So just leave a person to buy their own boxed DVD set unless they ask for it. You shouldn't have to do homework by watching 4 hours of House in one sitting.