Black Team- A Team of Champions!

Okay-- let's see if I'll get 10 uninterrupted minutes to get some thoughts down--

Goals for my hubs' absence--

As mentioned, first, rise and shine on running days and get the running done and out of the way. I plan on turning myself back into the early bird that catches the worm. I'll keep my fingers crossed that when hubs gets home it won't turn into an epic power struggle full of resentment, blah, blah, blah-- I can dream, can't I?

Second-- I weighed myself this morning, even after my big meal of last night-- 173.5. (already getting interrupted by Abby-- I can never type uninterrupted-- and now comes Rebekah) Anyway-- 173.5 represents the 5 or so pounds up I've been hovering since Christmas. Try as I might, it won't budge.

Did some yapping with the doctor, looked online for perimenopause stuff, et cetera-- see that yes, indeedy-- women my age, even with diet and exercise just plain CAN go up 5-10 pounds right in the gut, on 1400 calories daily, despite the exercise. Oh joy. Oh rapture.

SOOOOOOO-- here's the point-- if it is so, then SOMEBODY (namely MOI ) needs to just stop *****ing about it and press on. So, that is my goal -- stop *****ing about the floof. I'm working hard. It is what it is. I still look damn good-- or at least a heluva lot better than 40 something pounds ago-- so I'm gonna chill.

AND no scale until the morning Keith returns. Weight be damned.

Third-- I've been reading a bit about "zig zag" calorie counting-- basically in a layman's version-- shaking up the calorie count from day to day, still averaging roughly 1400 daily, but tricking your body, and metabolism, blah, blah, blah-- 1514 today, 1376 tomorrow, 1652 Wednesday, 1376 Thursday, 1789 Friday and so on-- sounds intriguing and sensible-- gonna try it this month.

Fourth-- eat as clean as I can for the month-- I've been letting too much cereal back in the diet. It's an easy meal-- low in sodium, blah, blah, blah-- but it's also high in sugar, and all that crap-- so, out goes the cereal. I'll go back and buy some more of my natural peanut butter and rice cakes, plain yogurt. I've learned that even "fake" sugar screws with your body-- yes? I think I've read that here on MFP and other places-- need to get even the vanilla crap out of my diet and get back to basics.

Fifth-- follow my training schedule for the 1/2 marathon religiously. Schedule has me up to 8 miles by the time he gets home. I'm a bit behind and still have plenty of time before the September date, Only 4 days a week of running-- piece of cake. I also plan to workout with weights every other day with Aaron.

Sixth and most important, truly-- hit the floor daily for abs-- I found a website with a lot of the standards on it-- need to work the core for the running, and really to battle the floof with everything I've got.

I also need to keep a grip on the computer time while the cat's away. Remember to be mama, not just Marla64-- need to remember that I'm NOT a single woman, and that whatever changes I make to my routine may NOT be able to be kept once the mister returns, so keep the proper attitude this month.

I plan on relaxing this month, reconnecting with friends, enjoying my children-- heck, even my sister-in-law may visit for a week which be totally cool--

Speaking of being mama-- two little boys are waiting to have their hair washed-- need to scoot.

Love you all!!

Sweet Andrew-- there is no shame among friends, ol' buddy. You let life get to you for a bit-- it happens. We love you enough to remind you there are no excuses. Health HAS to be a priority. You DO NOT want to be that 300+ pound dude ever, ever again. As much as it depend on me to assist, I vow to never let you rest on your haunches. Complacency equals what, Jeannie? That's right. FAT.

FAT

Geez Marla....my mom used to do that! Answer the easy ones for me.

Marla- you ar efreaking halirious..

Andrew- Am I so glad you came back to us..we know life gets in the way and we understand

Becca-welcome aboard.

EVeryone else I am off to bed..

Ballgame went pretty good we lost but we played and never gave up and thats what matter to me!!

Drinking my hot green tea and off to bed..Love to you all!!

Good morning my fabulous friends...Its a great day!!! Nothing special about it, other then I am so proud of myself for what I have came from to what I am doing...Before exercise was never a part of my life, I was like no way..Now I think of ways I can burn calories while doing the stuff I do in everyday life..All my managers at cracker barrel know to put me by the windows so I have to walk to furthest and that way I can burn more calories...I try to do as much extra stufff as possible..and to me my friends that says alot about the person I have become!!!

We are all in this together and we have been at different places in our life, but we all came back and stuck it out and are contining to come here for support..So thats show true color...

I am in such a good mood today, I am off just me and baby girl home today may do my work out come home work in the office for a bit and then take her to the park and enjoy some one on one time because she is growing up way to fast!!

Where I have been..Nope...Where I am headed.....Yep!! Staying positive my friends!!! Nothing can get me down at this point....

Good morning my fabulous friends...Its a great day!!! Nothing special about it, other then I am so proud of myself for what I have came from to what I am doing...Before exercise was never a part of my life, I was like no way..Now I think of ways I can burn calories while doing the stuff I do in everyday life..All my managers at cracker barrel know to put me by the windows so I have to walk to furthest and that way I can burn more calories...I try to do as much extra stufff as possible..and to me my friends that says alot about the person I have become!!!

We are all in this together and we have been at different places in our life, but we all came back and stuck it out and are contining to come here for support..So thats show true color...

I am in such a good mood today, I am off just me and baby girl home today may do my work out come home work in the office for a bit and then take her to the park and enjoy some one on one time because she is growing up way to fast!!

Where I have been..Nope...Where I am headed.....Yep!! Staying positive my friends!!! Nothing can get me down at this point....

You are such an inspiration, Tamara! 0-90 mph is how I see your progress. Lovely just lovely :flowerforyou:

Here is my song of the day:

This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!

One year ago my DD came to live back home again. Tired and depressed from yet another failed attempt to be her own without an education. She has/had a good job with friends of mine waiting tables and making good money, but knew she was not living up to her potential.

She started LPN classes with the thought.......I will try...........each day I will try. When she failed out of a class she came back with a vengence and aced the rest of the tests!!!!!!!!

My friends, my beautiful wonderful daughter is graduating today from LPN school. She will be wearing the Florence Nightengale duds and making her old mom cry.

I promise pictures later on!!!

:laugh: :happy: :flowerforyou: :smooched: :drinker: :bigsmile: and a little bit of:sad: and :yawn:

Jeannie- How awesome for your daughter! Congratulations!:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: It is such a great field to be in.

Marla - You know that running is a state of mind! you WILL conquer the sun. I think it is also important especially when training to be totally hydrated beforehand. Drink lots of water at night. When I know a long run is coming I am drinking like crazy! I really find that the longer runs are easier then the short 4 miles runs. Running is so mental. No matter how long you have have been running it doesn't get any easier. You have to be prepared everytime you go out there. The sun is more of an issue...I HATE the heat! Hopeully Lehigh Valley has a lot of trees surrounding your route!

YOU CAN DO IT MISS MARLA! I haven't hit the button yet but contemplating the Phila 1/2 in November....it will be a little cooler than:bigsmile:

Jeannie..Congrats to your daughter ! Some of my favorite people are nurses. 2 sisters and a SIL.

Marla, You can do it ! I have to get over the running in the heat. We'll do it !

Donna - Love it!!! You must be so proud! (Wish I could see your face.)

Katie - I'm am so technically challanged! Marla or Lori usually pitch in and adjust. I'll try again.

Oh believe me. You are not the only one! :laugh:

Ladies, thanks-- yes, I know there are two things I have to remember-- hydration, and perseverence. I'll conquer this-- or die trying!

Had a great morning berry picking with the younguns-- lots of fresh strawberries to nibble on. Must stay away from the chocolate covered ones the girls are working on right now-- yipes!

Have a great day--

Donna-- love the family picture-- they're beautiful.

Hey! Wasn't that Shuntae??




Seriously-- thanks, my friend-- will bear it all in mind. You know I'm not very adept at keeping myself hydrated because of all the water I hold-- I usually refuse to take in the "recommended" amount-- but, in this case I know I have to do it. I

I tawught I taw a Shuntae ! I did I did See Shuntae ! Welcome back !