CLOSED GROUP-Get Ahead With The Shred!

Hello ladies! Well, I am originally from Cincinnati, Ohio and will always be a Midwestern gal at heart but I've lived in Western Massachusetts for, gosh, 15 years now? I have my Bachelor's Degree in English with a Minor in Psychology and I am certified to teach preschool by the Department of Early Education and Care. I teach preschool now, working with ages 2-5 in the mornings and early afternoons, and ages 5-9 in the late afternoons after the area elementary schools let out. I love reading, writing, acting, singing, karaoke, cooking, dancing, and kids. I hope to someday be a Child Life Specialist which is sort of like a teacher/therapist that works with kids in hospitals who are terminally ill or having operations. I also seem to have a knack for autistic kids, so there might be something there, too. Or forensic psychology. I should have figured this out by now. I have a cat named OZ (after the HBO prison-drama series that I LOVE). I'm also a die-hard fan of How I Met Your Mother, Sex and The City, James Taylor, The Beatles, and most Top 40 music. I have a fantastic boyfriend whom I will celebrated 5 fantastic years with in January and he is a veterinary technician.

In other news, I did not sleep AT ALL last night. Not even a wink. Not oh, I'm tossing and turning and dosing a little here and there-no. So finally, at 5:00 am, what do I do? I lace up my sneaks and head to the gym. I WAS AT THE GYM AT 5:30 IN THE MORNING. My mom asked me later if she dreamed it. I walked/jogged 1.16 miles and was feelin' aces. Rookies mistakes I made (don't make them): eat before you work out and do not forget your water bottle. I was nauseous as all heck when I got home. So I meandered down to Stop and Shop (our local supermarket) and snagged myself a sweet 64 oz green and blue water bottle, BPA-free, with a straw, shatter-resistant, and with a cooling cylinder that you freeze and then attach to the inside of the lid to keep your h20 cold. 8 bucks. It's just easier for me, knowing my 64 oz are all in one place, especially since I'm constantly on-the-go as a preschool teacher.

Several NSV's: Stopped off at my doctor's for some paperwork and she about threw a party for me in the waiting room. "Look how much weight you've lost! You look fabulous!" And I said "I DO look fabulous!" She scooped me up into a big hug. I turned back to the secretary at the desk and she said "You really do look wonderful." Then, at my acupuncturist's, he said "You know, I've been talking with Susie (the other acupuncturist), and we both have been noticing how much brighter and healthier you've been looking recently." Fabulous, wonderful, brighter, and healthier? I'll take it! P.S. I recommend acupuncture to anyone for anything: I do it for migraines, anxiety, insomnia, and gastrointestinal issues and that plus the Chinese herbs he's been giving me as a tea have been phenomenal!

Lastly, I hope everyone who's not feeling well is feeling better or feeling better soon. As for me, TOM came knocking with makes those ab exercises a killer, but oh well. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate, especially those of you with colds, and for those of you with muscle aches, try heat and stretching. Even massaging a cooling lotion onto my calves sometimes helps. Happy Shredding!